Research Progress and Facing Challenges of Spindt Cathode

The Spindt cathode based on advanced micro/nano processing technology has many advantages over the present thermionic cathode, for example, instant start, low working voltage, and the ability to work at room temperature, etc. Despite the superior performance of the Spindt cathode, it is difficult to achieve practicality, ultimately due to the low reliability of the Spindt cathode. In recent decades, researchers have committed to improving the field emission performance and reliability of Spindt cathode in terms of structure, materials, and process technology. In addition to continuously improving the performance of Spindt cathode to meet the needs of high frequency and high power vacuum electronic devices, researchers are also seeking and exploring other new fields with low current, low energy, and high reliability to better leverage the advantages of Spindt cathodes. The article provides a review of the latest research progress on Spindt cathodes.