@article{BiekerRoustaieSchlaaketal., author = {Bieker, Johannes and Roustaie, Farough and Schlaak, Helmut F. and Langer, Christoph and Schreiner, Rupert and Lotz, Marcel and Wilfert, Stefan}, title = {Field emission characterization of in situ deposited gold nanocones with variable cone densities}, series = {Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B}, volume = {36}, journal = {Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B}, number = {2}, publisher = {AIP Publishing}, doi = {10.1116/1.5009504}, abstract = {For the fabrication of field emitter cathodes with metallic nanocones, an in situ fabrication technique based on electrodeposition in an ion track etched polymer template was used. Three samples with nanocones made of gold and different cone densities were deposited on a circular electrode with a diameter of 2.5 mm, using templates with pore density of 6 × 104, 4 × 105, and 1 × 106 cones/cm2. The cones had a height of 24 μm, a base diameter between 3 and 3.75 μm, and a tip diameter below 500 nm. Integral field emission measurements revealed onset fields of down to 3.1 V/μm and average field enhancement factors of up to 1240. For one sample, the maximum emission current from the cathode reached 142.2 μA at an applied voltage of 338 V between cathode and extraction grid, which had a distance of 50 μm. To investigate the stability of the field emission current, cumulative long-term measurements were performed for over 50 h. A stable emission current of (31.0 ± 1.3) μA at an average applied voltage of 290 V (E = 5.8 V/μm) was observed. For currents above 100 μA, a decrease of the current and therefore a degradation of the emitter structures occurred.}, language = {en} } @misc{DuesbergBachmannEdleretal., author = {D{\"u}sberg, Felix and Bachmann, Michael and Edler, Simon and Pahlke, Andreas and Langer, Christoph and Prommesberger, Christian and Schreiner, Rupert and Bunert, Erik and Wendt, Cornelius and Zimmermann, Stefan}, title = {Novel Non-Radiative Electron Source}, series = {43rd International Symposium of Capillary Chromatography \& 16h GC x GC Symposium 2019}, journal = {43rd International Symposium of Capillary Chromatography \& 16h GC x GC Symposium 2019}, abstract = {Recently a non-radioactive electron capture detector based on a thermionic electron emitter has been demonstrated [1]. Using field emitter arrays (FEAs) would yield non-radioactive portable low power devices with fast switching capability. By combining FEAs with a vacuum-sealed housing and an electron transparent membrane window, such electron sources can be operated in an ambient pressure environment.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{PrommesbergerLangerSchreiner, author = {Prommesberger, Christian and Langer, Christoph and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {Stable and low noise field emission from single p-type Si-tips}, series = {International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC), 31st, 2018, Kyoto, Japan}, booktitle = {International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC), 31st, 2018, Kyoto, Japan}, publisher = {IEEE}, doi = {10.1109/IVNC.2018.8520018}, pages = {1-2}, abstract = {Single gated p-type Si-tips with two different tip radii were fabricated. An emission current of 2.40 μA was measured for the sharp-edged tip at a voltage of 170 V. In contrast, a stable and reproducible emission behavior was observed with an increased tip radius resulting in a pronounced saturation region between 90 V and 150 V, but merely an emission current of 0.55 μA at 150 V. More remarkable is the stable emission behavior with fluctuation of ± 4 \% during a measurement period of 30 minutes. The integral emission current in a homogeneous tip array (16 emitters) showed nearly the same I-V characteristics compared to the single tip and is therefore, most dominated by only a stable single tip in the array.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{LindnerBerndtPrommesbergeretal., author = {Lindner, Matthias and Berndt, Dominik and Prommesberger, Christian and Langer, Christoph and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {Field emission assisted micro plasma discharges at vacuum and atmospheric pressures}, series = {31st International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC), 2018, Kyoto, Japan}, booktitle = {31st International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC), 2018, Kyoto, Japan}, doi = {10.1109/IVNC.2018.8520181}, pages = {2}, abstract = {Spatially confined non-equilibrium plasmas at vacuum and atmospheric pressure in the dimensions from a few microns to one millimeter are a promising approach to the generation and maintenance of stable glow discharges. The realization of these micro-discharges or micro-plasmas enable more accurate investigations in the field of micro plasma research. We report on field emission assisted micro plasmas excited by an alternating current with frequencies up to 1 kHz. Due to the field enhancement caused by an array of Si nano-tip structures the ignition voltage of stable plasma discharges can be reduced by 30\%.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BerndtLindnerTschurtschenthaleretal., author = {Berndt, Dominik and Lindner, Matthias and Tschurtschenthaler, Karl and Langer, Christoph and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {Miniaturized Plasma Actuator Flow Measurements by MEMS-Based Thermal Conductivity Sensors}, series = {MDPI Proceedings of Eurosensors 2018, 9-12 September, Graz}, volume = {Vol.13}, booktitle = {MDPI Proceedings of Eurosensors 2018, 9-12 September, Graz}, number = {2}, doi = {10.3390/proceedings2130939}, abstract = {The gasflow created by a minaturized dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuator is measured by a MEMS-based thermal conductivity gas sensor giving an indication of flow velocity and flow direction. The possiblity of several sensors in a small area gives a far better accuracy of local flow phenomena compared to conventional sensors. This is important for a better understanding of plasma- induced flow characteristics.}, language = {en} } @article{BerndtMuggliWittweretal., author = {Berndt, Dominik and Muggli, Josef and Wittwer, Franz and Langer, Christoph and Heinrich, Stephan and Knittel, Thorsten and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {MEMS-based thermal conductivity sensor for hydrogen gas detection in automotive applications}, series = {Sensors and Actuators A: Physical}, volume = {305}, journal = {Sensors and Actuators A: Physical}, number = {April}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.sna.2019.111670}, abstract = {Accurate detection of hydrogen gas in vehicle interiors is very important for the future of a fuel cell car. Since this type of gas is highly volatile and flammable, the measurement methods have to be very reliable and precise due to safety reasons. In this paper a thermal conductivity sensor for hydrogen gas detection is presented, exhibiting a lower detection limit of 2000 ppm hydrogen in laboratory air. The sensor element is realized by micro-fabrication techniques on silicon wafers. The heated filament is exposed by a selective wet etching process creating a micro-hotplate on a thin membrane. In order to minimize power consumption, the sensor is operated in pulsed mode. Hydrogen gas detection was carried out using a synthetic gas testbench. Measurements of hydrogen contents ranging from 0\% to 4\% with an increment of 0.5\% were successfully performed for ambient gas temperatures between -15°C and 84°C. Including humidity, high moisture contents have the greatest influence on thermal conductivity. This was predicted in theoretical investigations and confirmed in experiments. For evaluation, both the change in resistance ΔR as well as the time constant τ were taken as sensor output. For both quantities, the previously established theoretical relationship with thermal conductivity could be confirmed.}, language = {en} } @article{SchreinerLangerPrommesbergeretal., author = {Schreiner, Rupert and Langer, Christoph and Prommesberger, Christian and Dams, Florian}, title = {Compact and Energy-Efficient Field Emission Cathodes for Sensor Applications}, series = {Advanced Materials Research}, volume = {1024}, journal = {Advanced Materials Research}, publisher = {Scientific.net}, doi = {10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.1024.372}, pages = {372 -- 375}, abstract = {We report on miniaturized silicon field emitter arrays for the application in compact and energy-saving vacuum-microelectronic devices, e.g. sensors or x-ray tubes. Since standard silicon semiconductor technology has been used for the fabrication, they may be easily integrated with other silicon based circuits and devices on the same chip. The silicon tip geometry and the operating conditions were optimized in order to obtain highly uniform and stable electron field emission from large area cathode arrays. A series of uniform hexagonal tip arrays containing each 547 tips were fabricated and characterized. The electron emission properties of both individual tips as well as of complete emitter arrays were investigated. A saturation level in the voltage-current characteristics was found, which can be explained by the limitation of the supply of electrons due to the p-type silicon wafer material. When operating the arrays in the current saturation regime at an emission current of ~ 1 nA per tip, a highly stable and low noise emission can be observed.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BiekerRoustaieLangeretal., author = {Bieker, Johannes and Roustaie, Farough and Langer, Christoph and Schreiner, Rupert and Schlaak, Helmut F.}, title = {Innovatives Verfahren zur Herstellung und Integration metallischer Nanokonen f{\"u}r die Feldemission}, series = {MikroSystemTechnik Kongress 2017 : MEMS, Mikroelektronik, Systeme 23.-25. Oktober 2017 in M{\"u}nchen}, booktitle = {MikroSystemTechnik Kongress 2017 : MEMS, Mikroelektronik, Systeme 23.-25. Oktober 2017 in M{\"u}nchen}, number = {CD-ROM}, publisher = {VDE-Verlag}, address = {M{\"u}nchen}, isbn = {978-3-8007-4491-6}, pages = {797 -- 800}, abstract = {In den letzten Jahren wurde am Institut f{\"u}r Elektromechanische Konstruktionen die Fabrikation und Integration von metallischen Nanodr{\"a}hten und Nanokonen mittels Template-basierter Abscheidung erforscht. Diese Variante der in-situ Abscheidung von metallischen Nanostrukturen bietet eine Vielzahl von Anwendungsm{\"o}glichkeiten. Im Rahmen dieses Beitrags werden das Herstellungsverfahren zur Herstellung metallischer Nanokonen vorgestellt. Dies beinhaltet sowohl die Templatepr{\"a}paration mittels asymmetrischen {\"A}tzens als auch die anschließende Integration mittels galvanischer Abscheidung. Eine Anwendung der metallischen Nanokonen stellt die Verwendung als Feldemitter in der Vakuumelektronik dar. Es werden erste Messungen der Langzeitstabilit{\"a}t des Feldemissionsstromes der metallischen Konen pr{\"a}sentiert.}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{KleshchSerbunOrekhovetal., author = {Kleshch, Victor I. and Serbun, Pavel and Orekhov, Anton and L{\"u}tzenkirchen-Hecht, Dirk and Obraztsov, Alexander N. and Prommesberger, Christian and Langer, Christoph and Schreiner, Rupert and Lutzenkirchen-Hecht, Dirk}, title = {Field emission properties of p-type silicon tips decorated with tungsten nanoparticles}, series = {2017 30th International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC), 10-14 July 2017, Regensburg, Germany}, booktitle = {2017 30th International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC), 10-14 July 2017, Regensburg, Germany}, publisher = {IEEE}, doi = {10.1109/IVNC.2017.8051580}, pages = {138 -- 139}, abstract = {An array of conical-shaped p-type silicon tips was fabricated by using reactive ion etching and sharpening oxidation. The apex of each tip was decorated by a tungsten hemispherical nanoparticle. Field emission properties of the tips were measured by a tungsten-needle anode positioned above the tip apex. Tips decorated with tungsten nanoparticles demonstrated a smaller saturation region in current-voltage characteristics compared to the pristine tips. An emission activation process, which consisted in sudden current increase at certain value of applied voltage, was observed for the decorated silicon tips. This behavior was explained by the formation of vertical protrusions extending from the metal particles revealed by scanning electron microscopy after field emission experiments.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KnappLangerPrommesbergeretal., author = {Knapp, Wolfram and Langer, Christoph and Prommesberger, Christian and Lindner, Matthias and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {Investigations of the transition from field electron emission to stable plasma discharge in a micro electron source at vacuum pressure}, series = {2017 30th International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC), 10-14 July 2017, Regensburg, Germany}, booktitle = {2017 30th International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC), 10-14 July 2017, Regensburg, Germany}, publisher = {IEEE}, doi = {10.1109/IVNC.2017.8051594}, pages = {166 -- 167}, abstract = {We report on the transition from field electron emission to plasma discharges. During an experiment with a miniaturized field emission electron source a plasma discharge accompanied by a luminous effect was observed. A novel graphical evaluation method was used to interpret and to compare the observed phenomenon.}, language = {en} } @article{DamsNavitskiPrommesbergeretal., author = {Dams, Florian and Navitski, Aliaksandr and Prommesberger, Christian and Serbun, Pavel and Langer, Christoph and M{\"u}ller, G{\"u}nter and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {Homogeneous Field Emission Cathodes With Precisely Adjustable Geometry Fabricated by Silicon Technology}, series = {IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices}, volume = {59}, journal = {IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices}, number = {10}, publisher = {IEEE}, issn = {0018-9383}, doi = {10.1109/TED.2012.2206598}, pages = {2832 -- 2837}, abstract = {Silicon-based cathodes with precisely aligned field emitter arrays of sharp tips applicable for miniaturized electron sources were successfully fabricated and characterized. This was made possible by an improved fabrication process using wet thermal oxidation, wet etching, and reactive-ion etching steps with adjustable anisotropy. As substrate materials, both p-doped silicon and n-doped silicon were used. The cathode chips contain about 3 × 10 5 Si tips/cm 2 in a triangular array with tip heights of 2.5 μm, tip radii of less than 30 nm, and spacing of 20 μm. Well-aligned field emission (FE) and excellent homogeneity from all tips (i.e., 100\% efficiency) and maximum stable currents of typically 0.1 μA (0.6 μA) for p (n)-type Si were reproducibly achieved. The current-voltage characteristics of the p-Si tips exhibit the expected saturation at around 10 nA with around ten times better current stability, whereas the n-Si tips show the usual Fowler-Nordheim behavior. Additional coating of the Si tips with 5-nm Cr and 10-nm Au layers resulted in improved stability and at least five times higher average FE current limits (about 3 μA) at about 30\% higher operation voltage.}, language = {en} } @article{LangerBerndtSchreiner, author = {Langer, Christoph and Berndt, Dominik and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {Sensitivity of thermal conductivity vacuum gauges for constant current and constant temperature operation}, series = {Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B: Nanotechnology and Microelectronics}, volume = {40}, journal = {Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B: Nanotechnology and Microelectronics}, number = {5}, publisher = {AIP Publishing}, doi = {10.1116/6.0001964}, abstract = {To optimize the measurement range of thermal conductivity vacuum gauges, an expression for the sensitivity is required that takes into account all geometrical, material-specific, and operating parameters. Therefore, equations of the sensor output signal as a function of the pressure for the constant current and the constant temperature mode have been developed analytically. Based on these equations, the sensitivity of the vacuum gauge and its influencing parameters was investigated and discussed. For comparable conditions, the constant temperature operation shows a significantly higher sensitivity for high pressures, while the constant current operation shows higher sensitivity at low pressures. The sensitivity in both the constant current and the constant temperature mode depends on the ratio of the filament surface area and the parasitic thermal conductance. In addition, for the constant current operation, the sensitivity also depends on the current value and the temperature coefficient of the filament resistor. For the constant temperature operation, the sensitivity additionally depends on the distance of the filament and the reference plane. However, to extend the measurement range of a thermal conductivity vacuum gauge toward low pressures, a reduction of the parasitic thermal conductance is mandatory for both the constant current and the constant temperature mode.}, language = {en} }