Microwave devices: carbon nanotubes as cold cathodes.
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.
Teo
Kenneth B K
KB
Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK.
Minoux
Eric
E
Hudanski
Ludovic
L
Peauger
Franck
F
Schnell
Jean-Philippe
JP
Gangloff
Laurent
L
Legagneux
Pierre
P
Dieumegard
Dominique
D
Amaratunga
Gehan A J
GA
Milne
William I
WI