Properties and stability of single-atom field emitters

We have successfully produced single-atom W-111), HfC-100), and ZrC-100) tips using the field-induced buildup technique. The cold field emission characteristics of these tips were studied with particular emphasis on the emission stability and the energy distribution of the emitted electrons. W-111) tips were the least stable. Reaction with acetylene improved the emission stability for all these tips. We observed multiple peaks in the energy distributions of emitted electrons from single-atom HfC-100) and ZrC-100) tips. The separations between the peaks are in the order of half electron volt. Possible origin of the multiple peaks is discussed. q1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.