Field emission applications of graphene

Graphene has a huge variety of unique optoelectronic properties. Its recent rapid emergence and demonstrable richness in electron transport has been unprecedented. This atomically thin, ordered structure has exceptionally high attainable aspect ratios - potentially higher even than that of carbon nanotubes - whilst defective edge terminations rich in dangling bonds render it superior to metallic nanowires; qualifying graphene as a striking candidate for a variety of field emission applications following the addressing of various challenging fabrication issues. Herein we present a few potential uses of graphene in electron emission applications; specifically in micro-contact printing nanoscale fin electron sources, an edge-emission graphene-based video-rate display, and a highly electron transparent gate electrode capable of flat-band transparency and high beam collimation.