Nanoscale Field-Emission Device and Method of Fabrication

An apparatus including a first field-emission device, the first field-emission device comprising:

• a substrate;
• a first electrode disposed on the substrate, the first electrode having a first tip having a first radius of curvature that is at least 20 nm;
• and
• a second electrode disposed on the substrate, the second electrode having a second tip having a second radius of curvature that is at least 20 nm, wherein the first electrode and second electrode are co-planar and define a first gap having a first environment that is characterized by an ionization potential;
• wherein, when a first voltage is applied between them, the first and second electrodes generate a first in-plane, field-emission current of electrons having energy that is less than the ionization potential.

A method comprising:

• providing a first electrode on a substrate, the first electrode comprising a first material that is electrically conductive, wherein the first electrode has a first shape that is lithographically defined;
• and
• providing a second electrode on the substrate, the second electrode comprising a second material that is electrically conductive, wherein the second electrode has a second shape that is lithographically defined;
• wherein the first electrode and second electrode collectively define a first gap having an environment that is characterized by an ionization potential;
• and
• wherein the first and second electrodes are dimensioned and arranged such that they enable field emission of electrons from one of the first electrode and second electrode with an electron energy that is less than the ionization potential.