@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} } @article{EdlerBachmannBreueretal., author = {Edler, Simon and Bachmann, Michael and Breuer, Janis and Dams, Florian and D{\"u}sberg, Felix and Hofmann, Martin and Jakšič, Jasna and Pahlke, Andreas and Langer, Christoph and Ławrowski, Robert Damian and Prommesberger, Christian and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {Influence of adsorbates on the performance of a field emitter array in a high voltage triode setup}, series = {Journal of Applied Physics}, volume = {122}, journal = {Journal of Applied Physics}, doi = {10.1063/1.4987134}, abstract = {In the present work, black-silicon field emitter arrays (FEAs) are investigated regarding the influence of residual gas pressure on the characteristics and lifetime in the high voltage triode setup. Current-voltage-characteristics at different pressure levels are recorded and show a decreasing emission current with rising pressure. This decrease can be explained by an increase of the work function and charging of the emitter surface caused by adsorbates. The emission current can be restored to its initial value by heating of the FEA up to 110 °C during active emission. With this regeneration procedure, an extended lifetime from about 20 h to 440 h at a residual gas pressure of 10-5 mbar is achieved.}, language = {en} } @article{BreuerBachmannDuesbergetal., author = {Breuer, Janis and Bachmann, Michael and D{\"u}sberg, Felix and Pahlke, Andreas and Edler, Simon and Langer, Christoph and Prommesberger, Christian and Ławrowski, Robert Damian and Schreiner, Rupert and Serbun, Pavel and L{\"u}tzenkirchen-Hecht, Dirk}, title = {Extraction of the current distribution out of saturated integral measurement data of p-type silicon field emitter arrays}, series = {Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B}, volume = {36}, journal = {Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B}, number = {5}, publisher = {AIP Publishing}, doi = {10.1116/1.5035189}, abstract = {At the moment, only complicated techniques are known for the determination of array properties of field emitter arrays such as the number of active tips, the current distribution, or the individual tip radii. In this work, a method for extracting these parameters from integral measurement data is presented. A model describing the characteristics of a single emitter, including the saturation as a function of the applied voltage and the emitter radius, is developed. It is shown that experimental data of field emitter arrays can be represented as the sum of these functions and the characteristic parameters can be fitted to field emission data of an array. Using this method, the values of the radii as well as the parameters of distribution models can be determined directly. Analysis of experimental data from p-type Si emitter arrays shows that only 1-2\% of the tips contribute significantly.}, 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} } @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{EdlerHanschPrommesbergeretal., author = {Edler, Simon and Hansch, Walter and Prommesberger, Christian and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {Influence of adsorbates on the performance of a field emitter array in a high voltage triode setup}, 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.2018.8520214}, pages = {1-2}, abstract = {The influence of residual gas pressure on the characteristics of black-Silicon field emitter arrays in a high voltage triode setup is investigated. I-Vcharacteristics at different pressure levels show a decrease of emission current with rising pressure. This can be explained by an increase of the work function and charging of the emitter surface due to adsorbates. The initial characteristics can be restored by heating the FEA up to 110 °C during electron emission. This regeneration procedure enables an extension of the lifetime from about 20 h to 440 h at a residual gas pressure of 10 -5 mbar.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BuchnerBomkeHausladenetal., author = {Buchner, Philipp and Bomke, Vitali and Hausladen, Matthias and Edler, Simon and Bachmann, Michael and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {Investigation on the Emission Behaviour of p-doped Silicon Field Emission Arrays with Individually Controllable Single Tips}, series = {2021 34th International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC): 7/5/2021 - 7/9/2021, Lyon, France}, booktitle = {2021 34th International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference (IVNC): 7/5/2021 - 7/9/2021, Lyon, France}, publisher = {IEEE}, isbn = {978-1-6654-2589-6}, doi = {10.1109/IVNC52431.2021.9600756}, pages = {1 -- 2}, abstract = {Four individually controllable emission tips consisting of <111> p-Type silicon, were structured on a glass substrate by laser ablation. A matching extraction grid was manufactured in the same manner and aligned with the emitters. The resulting samples were characterized in ultra-high vacuum. As expected, the individual currents show a strong saturation and in the saturation region a considerably lower current fluctuation than n-type silicon due to charge carrier depletion. The individual tips behave completely independent behaviour from each other and the overall emission can be deduced from the sum of the currents through the individual tips.}, 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} } @inproceedings{SchelsEdlerHanschetal., author = {Schels, Andreas and Edler, Simon and Hansch, Walter and Bachmann, Michael and Herdl, F. and Dusberg, F. and Eder, Magdalena and Meyer, M. and Dudek, M. and Pahlke, A. and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {Current dependent performance test used on different types of silicon field emitter arrays}, 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}, editor = {Purcell, Stephen and Mazellier, Jean-Paul}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {Piscataway, NJ}, isbn = {978-1-6654-2589-6}, doi = {10.1109/IVNC52431.2021.9600787}, pages = {1 -- 2}, abstract = {A current dependent performance test is used to investigate the influence of doping and emitter geometry on the lifetime of silicon field emitter arrays. The measurements reveal an improved performance for lower n-type dopant concentrations. Furthermore, two new types of field emitters are introduced by slightly varying the original fabrication process [1]. The comparison shows superiority of tip like emitters over blade like structures.}, 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{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} } @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} } @inproceedings{HausladenBuchnerSchelsetal., author = {Hausladen, Matthias and Buchner, Philipp and Schels, Andreas and Edler, Simon and Bachmann, Michael and Schreiner, Rupert}, title = {An Integrated Field Emission Electron Source on a Chip Fabricated by Laser-Micromachining and Mems Technology}, 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/IVNC57695.2023.10189001}, pages = {115 -- 116}, abstract = {A silicon field emission electron source consisting of a cathode and a grid electrode has been fabricated by laser micromachining. The cathode features 21×21 tips on an area of 4×4 mm 2 , With a self-aligning MEMS technology for the aperture grid, a high electron transmission (99 \%) was achieved. Onset voltages of 50…70 V were observed for an emission current of 1 nA. A stable emission current of 1 mA ± 1.3 \% at an extraction voltage of 250 V was observed during a 30-min operation.}, language = {en} }