field emission, CNTs, grid aperture ratio, electron transmittance, electron beam spot, Technology, Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General), TA1-2040, Biology (General), QH301-705.5, Physics, QC1-999, Chemistry, QD1-999

Field emission is an important work mode for electron sources, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been extensively studied for their good emission properties. It is well known that the parameters of the grid deeply influence the field emission performance of CNTs, a relationship that requires further elucidation. Therefore, in this study, the relationship between the grid aperture ratio and electron transmittance was studied through simulations and experiments. This study’s results indicate that the electron transmittance improved as the grid aperture ratio increased. Meanwhile, electron beam spot simulations and imaging experiments indicate that an increased grid aperture ratio will expand the cathode electron divergence, leading to a larger electron beam spot size. These results demonstrate that there is a trade-off in maintaining the grid aperture ratio between high electron transmittance and relatively small electron beam spot size, and the optimum grid aperture ratio is between 75% and 85%. These results will provide a reference for the design and optimization of X-ray tubes and other electron sources.