Patent ID: 7898160
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: B82Y,G21K,H01J

Abstract:
1. A method of modifying an object with electrons comprising the steps of: electrons from a planar electron emitting portion of a cold-cathode electron emitter according to a tunnel effect; applying a voltage to said emitter to emit the electrons from said planar electron emitting portion; and exposing the object to the electrons, wherein said emitter comprises a pair of first and second electrodes, and a strong field drift layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, wherein the strong field includes columnar polycrystalline silicon grains extending toward the first electrode, first silicon oxide thin films formed in surfaces of the silicon grains, fine grains of nanocrystalline silicon formed between the adjacent silicon grains, and second silicon oxide thin films formed in surfaces of the fine grains, and wherein the electrons are emitted from said planar electron emitting portion by applying the voltage between the first and second electrodes.