Unraveling Nanotubes: Field Emission from an Atomic Wire

Andrew G. Rinzler; Jason H. Hafner; Pavel Nikolaev; Peter Nordlander; Daniel T. Colbert; R. E. Smalley; L.H. Lou; Seong‐Gon Kim; David Tománek

doi:10.1126/science.269.5230.1550

Abstract

Field emission of electrons from individually mounted carbon nanotubes has been found to be dramatically enhanced when the nanotube tips are opened by laser evaporation or oxidative etching. Emission currents of 0.1 to 1 microampere were readily obtained at room temperature with bias voltages of less than 80 volts. The emitting structures are concluded to be linear chains of carbon atoms, C n , ( n = 10 to 100), pulled out from the open edges of the graphene wall layers of the nanotube by the force of the electric field, in a process that resembles unraveling the sleeve of a sweater.

Keywords

Carbon nanotubeField electron emissionMaterials scienceElectric fieldElectronEvaporationNanotubeEtching (microfabrication)GrapheneNanotechnologyAtomic physicsOptoelectronicsPhysicsLayer (electronics)

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Publication Info

Year: 1995
Type: article
Volume: 269
Issue: 5230
Pages: 1550-1553
Citations: 1584
Access: Closed

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APA Style

                            
                                
                                    Andrew G. Rinzler, 
                                
                                    Jason H. Hafner, 
                                
                                    Pavel Nikolaev
                                
                                et al.
                            
                            (1995). 
                            Unraveling Nanotubes: Field Emission from an Atomic Wire. 
                            Science
                            , 269
                            (5230)
                            , 1550-1553.
                            https://doi.org/10.1126/science.269.5230.1550
                        

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1126/science.269.5230.1550