Carbon nanotubes and their potential field emission applications

Carbon nano-tubes are alternatives to conventional metal/silicon tips for field emission sources. They exhibit extraordinary field emission properties because of their high electrical conductivity, their high aspect ratio "whisker-like" shape for optimum geometrical field enhancement, and remarkable thermal stability. This paper will review the PECVD growth process, and the micro-fabrication techniques needed to produce well defined carbon nano-tube based micro-electron sources for use in a variety of applications.