Abstract :
During the low-temperature field evaporation of the emitter of tantalum, carried out in the presence of a small amount of
hydrogen in the system, tantalum mono-, di- and trihydride ions are detected. The formation process of hydrides is explained
based on the electric field-induced, localized energy states of tantalum, which combines with the field adsorbed hydrogen to
produce a transition complex on the emitter surface. The complex with its low surface bond energy undergoes desorption in
the high electric field applied. q2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
