Theoretical study of field emission by single-wall carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Field emission characteristics of various kinds of single-wall carbon nanotubes have been calculated using a combination of methods derived from quantum and electromagnetic theory. The energy distributions of the emitted electrons, obtained for all the nanotubes, confirm the implication of localized states in the emission process. However, the (10,0) nanotube seems to give rise to emission only by a very peaked localized state, whereas the Fermi sea also contributes for the (5,5) nanotubes. Moreover, despite a larger field enhancement, the (5,5) capped nanotube does not allow for currents as large as those emitted by the open-ended one.