Stable Forms and Stationary Emission of the Ions of Tantalum Field Emitter During Exposure to an External Electric Field at High Temperatures

Using the methods of field electron microscopy, the change in the form of the field emitter from Ta was studied when exposed to high temperatures T and strong electric fields F . The aim of the study was to obtain a stable form of the emitter surface that would give a stationary ion current during field evaporation. Such a stable form was found at a certain combination of T and F , it could provide a stable constant ion current, but of relatively small magnitude.