title: Microwave devices: carbon nanotubes as cold cathodes.
abstract: To communicate, spacecraft and satellites rely on microwave devices, which at present are based on relatively inefficient thermionic electron sources that require heating and cannot be switched on instantaneously. Here we describe a microwave diode that uses a cold-cathode electron source consisting of carbon nanotubes and that operates at high frequency and at high current densities. Because it weighs little, responds instantaneously and has no need of heating, this miniaturized electron source should prove valuable for microwave devices used in telecommunications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK.
authors.forename: Kenneth B K
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Teo
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Minoux
authors.forename: Ludovic
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hudanski
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Peauger
authors.forename: Jean-Philippe
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Schnell
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gangloff
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Legagneux
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dieumegard
authors.forename: Gehan A J
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Amaratunga
authors.forename: William I
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Milne