Protected Electron Emission Surface for Oxygen-Resistant Cathodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electron emitting elements, particularly those with graphene electrodes, suffer from reduced efficiency and surface damage due to reactions with oxygen and other reactive gases, limiting their use in environments with oxygen or high oxygen partial pressures, such as outer space.
Innovation Solution
A laminated electron emitting element structure incorporating a cover film made of inert materials like hexagonal boron nitride or other two-dimensional layered substances, which protects the electron-transmitting electrode from chemical reactions and maintains high electron emission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a graphene electrode is used for electron emission, then electron emission efficiency is improved, but the electrode surface is damaged by reactions with oxygen and reactive gases
Solution Approach 1:
A protective film made of inert material (such as aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, silicon oxide, or silicon nitride) is introduced as an intermediary layer between the graphene electrode and the oxygen-containing environment. This protective film acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the reactive oxygen and the graphene electrode, thereby protecting the electrode from oxidation and damage while allowing the system to maintain high electron emission efficiency.
2Reliability
If a protective film is added to protect the electrode from oxygen reactions, then electrode durability is improved, but electron emission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective film is designed as a thin film layer that provides sufficient protection against oxygen and reactive gases while minimizing its impact on electron emission. By controlling the film thickness and material properties, the protective layer blocks harmful chemical reactions without significantly impeding electron transmission, thus maintaining high electron emission efficiency while improving electrode durability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the electron emitting element is used in oxygen-rich environments like outer space, then application versatility is improved, but the electrode reacts with oxygen and loses functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The protective film creates an inert environment around the graphene electrode, shielding it from oxygen and reactive gases in the surrounding atmosphere. This allows the electron emitting element to be used in oxygen-rich environments such as outer space without the electrode reacting with oxygen and losing functionality, thereby improving environmental adaptability while maintaining electrode reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The protective cover film prevents electrode damage and maintains stable electron emission efficiency even in oxygen-rich environments, enhancing the element's durability and performance in various applications, including outer space.
Implementation Method 1
a cold cathode type electron source applies an energy, which is used to be ejected from the cathode, to electron due to a high voltage which is applied between a cathode and an anodes
Implementation Method 2
the cover film is a film which transmits electrons, is a protective film made of a material different from that of the second electrode, and constitutes an electron emission surface thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Provided in the present disclosure is an electron emitting element 10 including a laminated structure in which a first electrode 1, an electron accelerating layer 6 made of an insulation film, a second electrode 3, and a cover film 7 are laminated in that order, in which the second electrode is an electrode which transmits electrons and emits electrons from a surface thereof, and the cover film is a film which transmits electrons, is a protective film made of a material different from that of the second electrode, and constitutes an electron emission surface 5.