# Field emission from diameter-defined single-walled carbon nanotubes

## TL;DR

This study demonstrates the experimental observation of field electron emission from a single-walled carbon nanotube with a defined diameter, using improved measurement techniques to minimize sample disturbance.

## Contribution

It introduces new measurement and sample setup techniques enabling direct observation of FE from individual diameter-defined SWNTs.

## Key findings

- FE observed at low voltage of 270 V
- FE current of 2.2 x 10^-7 A measured
- Dynamic behavior of SWNT emitter observed

## Abstract

Field electron emission (FE) from a structure-defined single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) was observed experimentally. A series of observations of the same SWNT by scanning electron microscopy, field emission microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were performed for the characterization of the SWNT emitter. This characterization work was very difficult because the observations affected the sample. Additionally, different sample setups were needed in each observation. We improved measurement conditions to minimize the influence to SWNT and developed techniques of sample setup for these observations. Combining these techniques, FE from an individual diameter-defined SWNT could be observed. The diameter of SWNT was $\sim 1.73\ \mathrm{nm}$ and the FE current of $2.2 \times 10^{-7}\ \mathrm{A}$ was obtained at a low applied voltage of $270\ \mathrm{V}$. We observed a dynamic behaviors of the SWNT emitter during FE.