@article{BachmannDuesbergLangeretal., author = {Bachmann, Michael and D{\"u}sberg, Felix and Langer, Christoph and Herdl, Florian and Bergbreiter, Lukas and Dams, Florian and Miyakawa, Natuski and Eggert, Tobias and Pahlke, Andreas and Edler, Simon and Prommesberger, Christian and Ławrowski, Robert Damian and Hausladen, Matthias and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {Vacuum-sealed field emission electron gun}, series = {Journal of Vacuum Science \& Technology B}, volume = {38}, journal = {Journal of Vacuum Science \& Technology B}, number = {2}, publisher = {AIP Publishing}, doi = {10.1116/1.5139316}, abstract = {A compact vacuum-sealed field emission electron gun with an operation voltage below 5 kV is presented. With a 150 nm thick pyrolytic carbon membrane, a transmission of 40\% at 5 kV is obtained. For more than 2500 h of continuous operation at an emission current of 100 nA, no significant increase (<50V ) and almost no degradation were found. From this measurement, a lifetime of more than 10 000 h at continuous operation with approximately a linear increase of the extraction voltage from about 545 V to about 730 V is predicted. This electron source enables application of field emitter arrays in poor vacuum or even ambient pressure. ACKNOWLEDGMENT This work was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy under Project No. ZF4081502GM8. C.P., R.L., M.H., and R.S. were supported by Grant No. ZF4562901GM8.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{HerdlKueddelsmannSchelsetal., author = {Herdl, Florian and Kueddelsmann, Maximillian J. and Schels, Andreas and Bachmann, Michael and Edler, Simon and Wohlfartsst{\"a}tter, Dominik and D{\"u}sberg, Felix and Prugger, Alexander and Dillig, Michael and Dams, Florian and Schreiner, Rupert and Coile{\´a}in, Cormac {\´O}. and Zimmermann, Stefan and Pahlke, Andreas and Duesberg, Georg S.}, title = {Characterization and Operation of Graphene-Oxide-Semiconductor Emitters at Atmospheric Pressure Levels}, series = {2023 IEEE 36th International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC), 10-13 July 2023, Cambridge, MA, USA}, booktitle = {2023 IEEE 36th International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC), 10-13 July 2023, Cambridge, MA, USA}, publisher = {IEEE}, isbn = {979-8-3503-0143-4}, doi = {10.1109/IVNC57695.2023.10188974}, pages = {14 -- 16}, abstract = {In recent years Graphene-Oxide-Semiconductor (GOS) electron emitters have attracted a lot of interest due to their outstanding durability in modest vacuum conditions. However, the performance at ambient pressure remains largely unexplored. In this study GOS-emitters are characterized in nitrogen and air at atmospheric pressure, and compared with their vacuum characteristics. For this purpose, lifetime and IV-characteristics measurements are shown. Furthermore, the GOS-emitter was operated as an ionization source for ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) at ambient conditions.}, language = {en} } @article{BachmannDuesbergPahlkeetal., author = {Bachmann, Michael and D{\"u}sberg, Felix and Pahlke, Andreas and Edler, Simon and Schels, Andreas and Herdl, Florian and Ławrowski, Robert Damian and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {High current silicon nanowire field emitter arrays}, series = {Journal of Vacuum Science \& Technology B}, volume = {40}, journal = {Journal of Vacuum Science \& Technology B}, number = {1}, publisher = {AIP Publishing}, doi = {10.1116/6.0001639}, abstract = {Arrays of n-doped silicon nanowire field emitters with a high aspect ratio are realized by a novel dry etching technique. Compared to the high current silicon emitters in the literature, the manufacturing process is much simpler and requires only a single photolithography step and two dry etching steps. The cathodes realized with this method exhibit a total current of 20 mA from an active area of 4×4 mm2, which is significantly higher than that for most known structures made from silicon and also represents good performance in comparison with other emitter types, e.g., carbon nanotubes. In addition to characterization in ultrahigh vacuum, measurements at 10-5 mbar are performed and compared with our recent silicon emitters. Compared to these cathodes, the structures with the nanowires exhibit at least two orders of magnitude higher current-carrying capability.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{HerdlBachmannWohlfartsstaetteretal., author = {Herdl, Florian and Bachmann, Michael and Wohlfartsst{\"a}tter, Dominik and D{\"u}sberg, Felix and Dudeck, Markus and Eder, Magdalena and Meyer, Manuel and Pahlke, Andreas and Edler, Simon and Schels, Andreas and Hansch, Walter and Schreiner, Rupert and Wohlfartsstatter, Dominik and Dusberg, Felix}, title = {A novel current dependent field emission performance test}, series = {2021 34th International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC): 5-9 July 2021, Lyon, France}, booktitle = {2021 34th International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC): 5-9 July 2021, Lyon, France}, doi = {10.1109/IVNC52431.2021.9600695}, pages = {1 -- 2}, abstract = {A current dependent performance test for comparison of different field emitter arrays is introduced. Statistical analysis is enabled due to a short measurement time and as a main feature the electric field shift, comparable to the degradation of the emitter is examined. Significance of the test method is shown by a comparison of field emitter arrays with different doping levels.}, language = {en} } @article{SchelsEdlerHerdletal., author = {Schels, Andreas and Edler, Simon and Herdl, Florian and Hansch, Walter and Bachmann, Michael and Ritter, Daniela and Dudeck, Markus and Duesberg, Felix and Meyer, Manuel and Pahlke, Andreas and Hausladen, Matthias and Buchner, Philipp and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {In situ quantitative field emission imaging using a low-cost CMOS imaging sensor}, series = {Journal of Vacuum Science \& Technology B}, volume = {40}, journal = {Journal of Vacuum Science \& Technology B}, number = {1}, publisher = {AIP Publishing}, doi = {10.1116/6.0001551}, abstract = {Spatially resolved field emission measurements represent an important factor in further development of existing field emitter concepts. In this work, we present a novel approach that allows quantitative analysis of individual emission spots from integral current-voltage measurements using a low-cost and commercially available CMOS camera. By combining different exposure times to extrapolate oversaturated and underexposed pixels, a near congruence of integral current and image brightness is shown. The extrapolation also allows parallel investigation of all individual tips participating in the total current with currents ranging from a few nanoampere to one microampere per tip. The sensitivity, which is determined by the integral brightness-to-current ratio, remains unchanged within the measurement accuracy even after ten full measurement cycles. Using a point detection algorithm, the proportional current load of each individual tip of the field emitter array is analyzed and compared at different times during the initial measurement cycle. Together with the extracted I-V curves of single emission spots from the integral measurement, the results indicate the effect of premature burnout of particularly sharp tips during conditioning of the emitter.}, language = {en} } @article{EdlerSchelsHerdletal., author = {Edler, Simon and Schels, Andreas and Herdl, Florian and Hansch, Walter and Bachmann, Michael and Dudeck, Markus and Duesberg, Felix and Pahlke, Andreas and Hausladen, Matthias and Buchner Philipp, and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {Origin of the current saturation level of p-doped silicon field emitters}, series = {Journal of Vacuum Science \& Technology B}, volume = {40}, journal = {Journal of Vacuum Science \& Technology B}, number = {1}, publisher = {AIP Publishing}, doi = {10.1116/6.0001554}, abstract = {Using p-type semiconductors for field emitters is one simple way to realize an integrated current limiter to improve the lifetime of the cathode. In this work, the origin of the current saturation of p-type silicon emitters is investigated in detail. Single emitters are electrically characterized and compared to simulation results. With a simulation model considering a high surface generation rate and elevated tip temperature, a good agreement to the measured data is found. This observation is supported further by alteration of the surface experimentally. Electrical measurements after different treatments in hydrofluoric acid as well as heated and subsequent operation at room temperature are well explained by the influence of surface generation. Furthermore, it is shown that the field penetration leads to a small voltage drop and a strong geometry-dependent reduction of the field enhancement factor.}, language = {en} } @article{BachmannDuesbergPahlkeetal., author = {Bachmann, Michael and D{\"u}sberg, Felix and Pahlke, Andreas and Edler, Simon and Schels, Andreas and Herdl, Florian and Hausladen, Matthias and Buchner, Philipp and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {The "LED-version" of the electron gun: An electron source for operation in ambient pressure environments based on silicon field emitter arrays}, series = {Vakuum in Forschung und Praxis}, volume = {35}, journal = {Vakuum in Forschung und Praxis}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley}, doi = {10.1002/vipr.202300801}, pages = {32 -- 37}, abstract = {We report on our progress to develop and optimize electron sources for practical applications. A simple fabrication process is introduced based on a wafer dicing saw and a wet chemical etch step without the need for a clean room. Due to the formation of crystal facets the samples show a homogeneous geometry throughout the array. Characterization techniques are developed to systematically compare various arrays. A very defined measurement procedure based on current controlled IV-sweeps as well as lifetime measurements at various currents is proposed. To investigate the current distribution in the array a commercial CMOS detector is used and shows the potential for in depth analysis of the arrays. Finally, a compact hermetically sealed housing is presented enabling electron generation in atmospheric pressure environments.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchelsHerdlHausladenetal., author = {Schels, Andreas and Herdl, Florian and Hausladen, Matthias and Wohlfartsst{\"a}tter, Dominik and Bachmann, Michael and Edler, Simon and D{\"u}sberg, Felix and Pahlke, Andreas and Buchner, Philipp and Schreiner, Rupert and Hansch, Walter}, title = {Beta Factor Mapping of Individual Emitting Tips During Integral Operation of Field Emission Arrays}, series = {2023 IEEE 36th International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC), 10-13 July 2023, Cambridge, MA, USA}, booktitle = {2023 IEEE 36th International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC), 10-13 July 2023, Cambridge, MA, USA}, publisher = {IEEE}, isbn = {979-8-3503-0143-4}, doi = {10.1109/IVNC57695.2023.10188957}, pages = {224 -- 226}, abstract = {Emission uniformity mappings of field emitter arrays provide important insight into degradation mechanisms, but are often laborious, non-integral, costly, or not quantifiable. Here, a low-cost Raspberry Pi HQ camera is used as an extraction anode to quantify the emission distribution in field emitter arrays. A verification measurement using controlled SEM electron beams proves, that current-voltage characteristics of individual emission sites can be determined by combining the integral electrical data with the image data. The characteristics are used to quantify the field enhancement factors of an 30x30 silicon field emitter array during integral operation. Comparison of the field enhancement factor distributions before and after a one-hour constant current operation at 1 µA shows an increase from 50 actively emitting tips before to 156 after the measurement. It is shown, that the distribution of field enhancement factors shifts towards lower values, due to the increasing degradation for high field enhancement tips, especially above 1500.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BuchnerHausladenSchelsetal., author = {Buchner, Philipp and Hausladen, Matthias and Schels, Andreas and Herdl, Florian and Edler, Simon and Bachmann, Michael and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {An Integrated Silicon Nanowire Field Emission Electron Source on a Chip with High Electron Transmission}, series = {2023 IEEE 36th International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC), 10-13 July 2023, Cambridge, MA, USA}, booktitle = {2023 IEEE 36th International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC), 10-13 July 2023, Cambridge, MA, USA}, publisher = {IEEE}, isbn = {979-8-3503-0143-4}, doi = {10.1109/IVNC57695.2023.10188878}, pages = {6 -- 8}, abstract = {Silicon nanowire field emission arrays (50 × 50 pillars) were fabricated on a silicon glass hybrid wafer. The glass acts both as the support for the whole structure and insulator between cathode and extraction grid. The extraction grid matches the emitter structures and is optically aligned and adhered to the emitter chip by a vacuum compatible epoxide adhesive. These chips exhibit an emission current of about 600 μA at an extraction voltage of 300 V. The electron transmission through the grid is above 80 \%. 58-hour longtime measurements were conducted showing low degradation of the emission current and high stability of electron transmission.}, language = {en} } @article{SchelsHerdlHausladenetal., author = {Schels, Andreas and Herdl, Florian and Hausladen, Matthias and Wohlfartsst{\"a}tter, Dominik and Edler, Simon and Bachmann, Michael and Pahlke, Andreas and Schreiner, Rupert and Hansch, Walter}, title = {Quantitative Field Emission Imaging for Studying the Doping-Dependent Emission Behavior of Silicon Field Emitter Arrays}, series = {Micromachines}, volume = {14}, journal = {Micromachines}, number = {11}, publisher = {MDPI}, doi = {10.3390/mi14112008}, abstract = {Field emitter arrays (FEAs) are a promising component for novel vacuum micro- and nanoelectronic devices, such as microwave power amplifiers or fast-switching X-ray sources. However, the interrelated mechanisms responsible for FEA degradation and failure are not fully understood. Therefore, we present a measurement method for quantitative observation of individual emission sites during integral operation using a low-cost, commercially available CMOS imaging sensor. The emission and degradation behavior of three differently doped FEAs is investigated in current-regulated operation. The measurements reveal that the limited current of the p-doped emitters leads to an activation of up to 55\% of the individual tips in the array, while the activation of the n-type FEA stopped at around 30\%. This enhanced activation results in a more continuous and uniform current distribution for the p-type FEA. An analysis of the individual emitter characteristics before and after a constant current measurement provides novel perspectives on degradation behavior. A burn-in process that trims the emitting tips to an integral current-specific ideal field enhancement factor is observed. In this process, blunt tips are sharpened while sharp tips are dulled, resulting in homogenization within the FEA. The methodology is described in detail, making it easily adaptable for other groups to apply in the further development of promising FEAs.}, language = {en} }