IMPROVED ELECTRODE AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES AND METHODS

摘要

This invention discloses electron field-emission cathodes with enhanced performance for vacuum and gaseous electronics and methods of fabricating these cathodes. In Fig. 1, the cathode (100) comprises nanomaterials (104), such as carbon nanotubes, and metals or metal-containing compounds or alloys. In gas discharge devices, the present field-emission materials or cathodes work at room temperature and have much lower breakdown voltage or cathode fall than conventional cathodes. The invention enables the developing of gas discharge devices with greatly enhanced energy efficiency and operating lifetime.