Electron Emission Projection Imager

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel projection imaging system capable of directly visualizing field emission sites on cathodes with high spatial resolution and sensitivity, surpassing traditional electrometer detection limits.

Contribution

The paper presents a new projection imaging method for directly mapping field emission sites with high resolution and sensitivity using standard parallel plate configurations.

Findings

Lateral spatial resolution between 1 and 10 μm

Imaging sensitivity better than 1 nA

Direct visualization of emission site distribution

Abstract

A new projection type imaging system is presented. The system can directly image the field emission site distribution on a cathode surface by making use of anode screens in the standard parallel plate configuration. The lateral spatial resolution of the imager is between 1 and 10 {\mu}m. The imaging sensitivity to the field emission current can be better than the current sensitivity of a typical electrometer, i.e. less than 1 nA.