Electron sources based on diamond pin-diodes

Franz A.M. Koeck, Manpuneet Benipal, Robert J. Nemanich

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Efficient electron sources are of ongoing interest in particular for high power terrestrial and space telecommunications and radar applications. With conventional cathode technology based on thermionic- A nd field electron emission a novel approach for direct electron emission is realized through a diamond pin diode. Electrons injected into the conduction band of the intrinsic layer of the diode can be released into vacuum with a negative electron affinity surface of of the i-layer. The diamond pin diodes were prepared on boron doped (p-type) substrates with (111) surface orientation. A high purity intrinsic and a phosphorus doped diamond layer (n-type, ∼400 nm thickness) were deposited in dedicated PECVD systems, respectively. An additional contact layer comprised of nanostructured carbon was grown in a dedicated PECVD. The layered device was processed by lithography utilizing an aluminum hard mask to etch mesa structures with diameters ranging from 50 μm to 200 μm. The final devices were treated in a pure hydrogen plasma to induce the negative electron affinity properties of the i-layer. After an annealing step in high vacuum individual pin diodes were biased in forward current and voltages up to 20V. The observation of light from the diode was attributed to the UV exciton state and indicated bipolar transport. At a diode current of about 80mA an electron emission current of 25 μA was observed from a single 200 μm diameter diode.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2018 31st International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference, IVNC 2018
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781538657171
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2018
Event31st International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference, IVNC 2018 - Kyoto, Japan
Duration: Jul 9 2018Jul 13 2018

Publication series

Name2018 31st International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference, IVNC 2018

Other

Other31st International Vacuum Nanoelectronics Conference, IVNC 2018
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityKyoto
Period7/9/187/13/18

Keywords

  • Diamond
  • doping
  • electron emission
  • nanostructured carbon
  • phosphorus
  • pin diode
  • plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition
  • single crystal
  • solid state electronics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

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