A complex investigation of the structure and emission characteristics of linear-chain carbon is accomplished. This material is demonstrated to be stable at high temperature (700°C), and the thermal emission is shown to be governed by the Schottky mechanism with the material characteristics reaching record-breaking values: an emission threshold of 800 V/mm and a thermoionic work function of 0.43 eV. These values are found to arise during $sp^1$ carbon crystallization and vanish after its graphitization. The very low value of the work function of linear-chain carbon is theoretically substantiated.
Department of Physical Electronics, Faculty of Physics, Moscow State University, Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119992, Russia
Science News of the Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University
This new information publication, which is intended to convey to the staff, students and graduate students, faculty colleagues and partners of the main achievements of scientists and scientific information on the events in the life of university physicists.