Apparatus, systems, and methods for communicating data between a controller and a multiplicity of field devices operating in a process plant are provided. The system includes distributed marshaling modules coupled by a head-end unit to I/O cards in communication with the controller. The distributed marshaling modules communicate with the field devices via respective electronic marshaling components converting signals between the field devices and the I/O cards. The distributed marshaling modules are coupled to the head-end unit by a ring communication architecture, such that the distributed marshaling modules may each be located relatively proximate to the field devices to which they are coupled.

A field emission electron source and a method of manufacturing the same. A field emission electron source comprises an emitting electrode and an extractor gate electrode. The emitting electrode comprising a plurality of particles with nanosharp protrusions. The extractor gate electrode comprises a metal. The extractor gate electrode is formed in a same plane as the emitting electrode. The extractor gate electrode is formed surrounding the emitting electrode. A method of manufacturing a field emission electron source comprises forming an emitting electrode comprising a plurality of particles with nanosharp protrusions using a direct ink writing (DIW) printer. The method comprises forming an extractor gate electrode comprising a metal using the DIW printer.

A vertical vacuum transistor with a sharp tip structure, and associated fabrication process, is provided that is compatible with current vertical CMOS fabrication processing. The resulting vertical vacuum channel transistor advantageously provides improved operational characteristics including a higher operating frequency, a higher power output, and a higher operating temperature while at the same time providing a higher density of vertical transistor devices during the manufacturing process.

A method for making a carbon nanotube field emitter is provided. A carbon nanotube array and a cathode substrate are provided. The carbon nanotube array is heated to form a graphitized carbon nanotube array. A conductive adhesive layer is formed on a surface of the cathode substrate. One end of the graphitized carbon nanotube array is contact with the conductive adhesive layer. The conductive adhesive layer is solidified to fix the graphitized carbon nanotube array on the cathode substrate.

A tunneling electro source, an array thereof and methods for making the same are provided. The tunneling electron source is a surface tunneling micro electron source having a planar multi-region structure. The tunneling electron source includes an insulating substrate, and two conductive regions and one insulating region arranged on a surface of the insulating substrate. The insulating region is arranged between the two conductive regions and abuts on the two conductive regions. Minimum spacing between the two conductive regions, which equals to a minimum width of the insulating region, is less than 100 nm.

Provided is a field emission device. The field emission device includes a cathode electrode having a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface, the cathode electrode including grooves that are recessed from the first surface toward the second surface, the grooves extending in a first direction parallel to the first surface and emitter structures which are disposed within the grooves and each of which includes a core extending in the first direction and a conductive wire configured to surround the core. The grooves may be arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction, and the emitter structures may be disposed at vertical levels different from each other.

Electron emitters and methods of fabricating the electron emitters are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, an electron emitter includes a tip with a planar region having a diameter in a range of approximately (0.05-10) micrometers. The electron emitter tip is configured to release field emission electrons. The electron emitter further includes a work-function-lowering material coated on the tip.

Provided is a field emission device. The field emission device includes a cathode electrode having a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface, the cathode electrode including grooves that are recessed from the first surface toward the second surface, the grooves extending in a first direction parallel to the first surface and emitter structures which are disposed within the grooves and each of which includes a core extending in the first direction and a conductive wire configured to surround the core. The grooves may be arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction, and the emitter structures may be disposed at vertical levels different from each other.

A method for making a carbon nanotube field emitter is provided. At least one carbon nanotube wire and at least two electrodes are provided. The at least one carbon nanotube wire is heated to form at least one graphitized carbon nanotube wire. The at least one graphitized carbon nanotube wire comprises a first end and a second end, and the first end is opposite to the second end. The at least two electrodes are welded to fix the first end between the at least two electrodes. welding the at least two electrodes to fix the first end between the at least two electrodes. The second end of the at least one graphitized carbon nanotube wire is exposed from the at least two electrodes as an electron emission end.

A charged particle beam source that may include an emitter that has a tip for emitting charged particles; a socket; electrodes; a filament that is connected to the electrodes and to the emitter; electrodes for providing electrical signals to the filament; a support element that is connected to the emitter; and a support structure that comprises one or more interfaces for contacting only a part of the support element while supporting the support element.