Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

X-Ray Diode Using A Silicon Field Emission Photocathode, W. I. Karian, Larry V. Knight, David D. Allred, A. Reyes-Mena

Faculty Publications

We have produced arrays of 10,000 sharp p-type silicon points using an etch plus oxidation method. The points were used as electron emitters. No high vacuum cesiation or high temperature cleaning was needed to observe the electron emission. These are seen to be photosensitive sources of electrons at 200 K and 300 K. They were also used to produce AlKα x-rays. This constitutes the first use of etched, point arrays for generating electrons for x-ray sources.