Field electron emission properties from aligned carbon nanotube bundles of different density

Details are given of an experimental study of the field emission characteristics of well‐aligned carbon nanotube films. The films were prepared in a catalyst‐assisted process using bias‐enhanced microwave plasma chemical vapour deposition. They consist of bundles of carbon nanotubes, the density of which may be controlled by changing the thickness of the pre‐deposited catalyst film. The transparent anode technique was used to measure the field emission properties of the carbon nanotube films and it was found that films having a low density of bundles have better field emission properties. The findings are explained by the electrostatic screen effect. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.