To optimize field emission (FE) property of carbon nanotube (CNT) array on a planar cathode surface, the Fowler-Nordheim formula has been used to discuss the maximum of the emission current density with the floating sphere model in this paper. The emission current density is dominating as the analytical Fowler-Nordheim function of the intertube distance, and the maximum of the emission current density is deduced and discussed. The results indicate that the intertube distance in CNT array critically affects the field enhancement factor and the emission current density, whose maximum occurs at the intertube distance approximating a tenth of the tube height. Considering the emission current density and the field enhancement factor, the FE can be optimized analytically when the intertube distance is about a tenth of the tube height.
WANG XinQingLI LiangCHEN MinJIN HongXiaoJIN DingFengPENG MinGE HongLiang
