The effects of the interface and surface treatment on the electron emission from diamond coated field emitters

To improve the performance of molybdenum and silicon field emitters, thin diamond layers were deposited on needles by dielectrophoresis. Field emission characteristics were investigated before and after diamond deposition. SEM and TEM observation demonstrated that a significant amount of diamond was deposited. The emissivity depended upon the thickness deposited, the thermal treatment of the diamond after deposition. The influence of the emitter/diamond interface and the surface treatment of the diamond, are reported here, along with a discussion of the possible mechanisms.