Ni3Si2 nanowires for efficient electron field emission and limitations of the Fowler-Nordheim model

This article reports on top-down nanofabricated Ni3Si2 nanowires and tests of their electron field emission capabilities. The results include low turn-on electric field, E-ON, moderate work function, phi, and the field enhancement factor, beta, customizable through nanofabrication. The article also reports on the issues ahead in the field of nanowires-based electron mission, as there are quantitative limitations of the applicability of the Fowler-Nordheim model, which will become increasingly apparent as we continue to optimize the field emission of electrons. To this end, we suggest adding the studies of surface-to-volume ratio effects of the nanowires as another standard for comparison in order to lead to the input form of the density of states as quantum effects becoming more prominent.