Energy distribution of field emitted electrons from diamond coated molybdenum tips

Abstract

Field emission energy distribution (FEED) measurements were performed on Mo and diamond coated Mo tips under ultrahigh vacuum conditions to investigate the origin of field emitted electrons. Mo emitters were prepared by electrochemical etching and were subsequently coated with diamond powder by a dielectrophoretic procedure. Field emission energy spectra were taken on the same samples before and after diamond coating. In vacuo thermal annealing of coated samples was essential to obtain stable field emission. FEED data indicated that the field emission current originated from the diamond/vacuum interface, and that electrons were emitted from the conduction band minimum of diamond.