Electron field emission from arrays of individual carbon nanotubes vertically aligned, preparation and properties

In this paper is presented a short survey of the literature data on the growth and the field emission properties of vertically-aligned and individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) arrays, which are believed to be the most efficient top-down preparation methods for electron field emission devices. Density current of around 1 A/cm² at turn-on field around some V/μm can now routinely be obtained. The paper also underlines some problems and challenges that must be overcome for practical applications.