Straight single-crystalline (001)-oriented nanowires with widths ranging from 15nm to more than 100nm were synthesized using chemical vapour deposition. Field-emission measurements of a single nanowire revealed a high emission current density of 5 x 105A/cm2 at a voltage below 800V and an emission area equal to 6.4nm2. These nanowires were terminated by {100} surfaces and offered an improved structure as point electron sources. The low work function and low dimensionality of these nanowires offered better prospects for making improved point electron sources.

Field Emission of Electrons from Single LaB6 Nanowires. Zhang, H., Tang, J., Zhang, Q., Zhao, G., Yang, G., Zhang, J., Zhou, O., Qin, L.C.: Advanced Materials, 2006, 18[1], 87-91