A circuit model for a family of low-voltage field-emission-array cathodes

A circuit model has been developed for a family of composite-based, low-voltage field-emitter-array cathodes. The arrays were fabricated by thin-film technology from directionally solidified oxide-metal composite materials. The typical field-emission-array contained 10/sup 7/ individual electron guns per cm2 of area. The dimensions of each electron gun is such that it operates with a cathode-extractor (cathode-gate) potential of less than 200 volts. A circuit model that predicts the performance of these emitter arrays is needed if they are to be used as electron sources in vacuum electronic devices. This work develops the requisite circuit model from the physical properties of the array, and characterizes the parameters of the circuit model using theoretical and experimental techniques.