A High Current Microfabricated Carbon Nanotube Field Emitter Array with Ballasting

High current density carbon nanotube-based field emission arrays with uniform emission will be developed under this program. Working in conjunction with MIT, microfabrication techniques will be used to produce high density arrays of CNT emitters on substrates which incorporate feedback to ensure uniformity of emission between emitters. The feedback techniques employed will minimize thermal effects and will not result in excessive thermal loads. Modeling of this device will be performed to optimize the fabrication parameters to enhance uniformity of emission. During Phase I some test devices will be fabricated which can emit currents up to 100 microamps in an area 1 mm square. These devices will be characterized for emission uniformity in order to verify that the feedback system is performing as expected. The goal for Phase II is to develop devices capable of emitting at least 1 amp over an area of 1 cm^2.