Characterization of field emission from carbon nanofibers on a metal tip

Field electron emission from carbon nanofibers (CNFs) grown on a tungsten tip has been characterized by measuring emission current-voltage (I-V) curves and observing emission patterns on a phosphor screen. CNFs were vertically grown on the tip by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Field emission from the CNFs over 100 μA was strongly dependent on emitter-anode distance, and the dominant field electrons were emitted within an angular spread of Δθ∼25°, indicating the electron emission took place mainly from the emitter’s apex area. By analyzing the I-V curves with the aid of the Fowler–Nordheim theory, the maximum current density was estimated to be about J=2×109 A/m2.