Field emission image uniformity improvement by laser treating carbon nanotube powders

Abstract

Carbon nanotube powders were synthesized by arc discharge method and incorporated into the paste to be applied in the screen printing process. It was investigated that the field emission image uniformity was efficiently improved by laser treating carbon nanotube powders. The laser energy burned out carbon particles to reveal more carbon nanotubes and graphitized carbon nanotubes. In addition to uniformity improvement, field emission properties were also reinforced after laser treating. For instance, turn-on voltage decreased from 3.2to2.2V∕μm, while field enhancement factor increased from 2200 to 2900.