Investigation of ionization gauges with carbon nanotube (CNT) field-emitter cathodes

Abstract

Today, electron sources based on carbon nanotube (CNT) field emitters are a true alternative to FEAs with microtip cathodes. CNTs with a diameter below 20 nm possess the best field emission properties and are very robust mechanically, which justifies their use in field emission cathodes for vacuum sensors. Starting from basic research to characterize field emission properties, long term stability and stress of CNT field emitters, we present investigations of CNT field emitter electron sources of different provenance in an ionization gauge. We used emission currents of 1 mA and an upper pressure limit of 1 Pa. We compare the results with those of Dong and discuss advantages to a Bayard-Alpert gauge (BAG) with thermionic cathodes. Focus of the presentation is on the investigation of the CNT cathode for applications in ionization gauges. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.