Stable field-induced electron emission from a solidified liquid metal ion source

Abstract

Stable field-induced electron emission is derived from a tungsten tip covered by indium which has been solidified from its liquid state during an ion emission process. By choosing different ion emission currents at the beginning of the solidification process, the final geometry of the solidified emitter can be reshaped and the characteristics of the electron emission changed. The Fowler–Nordheim equation is used to infer the geometry of the electron emitter prepared by various solidification processes. The dual ion/electron point source is expected to have high potential applications in focused ion and electron beam technologies.