Large-area array of micro/nano electron sources using nanoemitters

Summary form only given. A growing number of one-dimensional nanomaterials including nanotubes, nanorods and nanowires have been synthesized and found to give good field electron emission performance. One of the important applications of these field emission nanotubes and nanowires is being used as electron emitter in vacuum micro/nano diodes. Large-area array of such micro/nano diodes is key to the development of the novel applications of vacuum electron in lighting, display and microwave generation. This paper covers the issues from the basic physics to technological problem regarding large-area array of micro/nano electron sources, with particular emphasis on the integration of nanoemitter with micro/nano device structures. In addition, we shall reports examples of their device application such as carbon nanotube lighting element and field emission flat panel display.