Modeling of electron emitters based on carbon nanotubes

A simplified (two-dimensional) model of an electron emitter based on a carbon nanotube is proposed. The model is implemented using the finite element method with COMSOL Multiphysics. It is found by modeling that the falling Fowler–Nordheim dependences are obtained when the electron emission period decreases inversely proportional to the cube of the voltage applied to the anode. Using graphs in Fowler–Nordheim coordinates the effective values of the electron work function and the electric field gain coefficient are found, and the results are compared with known experimental data. The reasons for the deviation of the obtained results from the experimental and Fowler–Nordheim theory predictions are discussed.