Abstract
Short-term temporal changes in the field electron emission characteristics were studied. The emission regime involves metal-insulator (M-I), metal-metal-insulator (M-M-I) and metal-insulator-metal-insulator (M-I-M-I) systems. In this paper, the data presented include the initial phenomenon of ‘switch-on’ currents, the capability of subsequent switching between two or more emission spectral modes, and the non linear behaviour in current-voltage ( I–V) characteristics. Electron energy distributions (of double-peaked spectrum) of two or more regular states with non-uniform lifetime (fraction of a second to few seconds) in each state are presented. The correlation between the distribution of the emitting sub-emission centres over the cathode surface, with each of the temporal changes and the electron energy distribution is demonstrated. Evidence is presented that highlights the inherently unstable nature of the surface emission centres and means to gain stability.
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