Abstract: According to some aspects, a cold cathode device is provided, the device comprising a substrate, a field electron emitter disposed upon the substrate and configured to emit electrons in a first direction, and a structure encapsulating the field electron emitter, thereby creating an airtight seal around the field electron emitter, at least a portion of the structure being an atomically thin membrane positioned in the first direction with respect to the field electron emitter. According to some embodiments, at least one einzel lens may be located within the structure and configured to direct electrons emitted by the field electron emitter.

Abstract: Example compact ion beam sources are provided that can be used to generate ion beams using chemical species and field emitter elements or field emitter arrays. In some example, the compact ion beam source can be implemented as neutron sources based on ion beam bombardment of neutron-rich targets.

Abstract: Example compact modular electron beam units are provided that can be used to generate electron beams using field emitter elements. A modular electron beam unit may comprise an electron beam source including a base portion, at least one field emitter element coupled to the base portion, the field emitter element including a field emitter tip, at least one gate electrode and a membrane window disposed over the at least one gate electrode.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a cold cathode device is provided, the device comprising a substrate, a field electron emitter disposed upon the substrate and configured to emit electrons in a first direction, and a structure encapsulating the field electron emitter, thereby creating an airtight seal around the field electron emitter, at least a portion of the structure being an atomically thin membrane positioned in the first direction with respect to the field electron emitter. According to some embodiments, at least one einzel lens may be located within the structure and configured to direct electrons emitted by the field electron emitter.

Abstract: Example compact ion beam sources are provided that can be used to generate ion beams using chemical species and field emitter elements or field emitter arrays. In some example, the compact ion beam source can be implemented as neutron sources based on ion beam bombardment of neutron-rich targets.

Abstract: Example compact modular electron beam units are provided that can be used to generate electron beams using field emitter elements. A modular electron beam unit may comprise an electron beam source including a base portion, at least one field emitter element coupled to the base portion, the field emitter element including a field emitter tip, at least one gate electrode and a membrane window disposed over the at least one gate electrode.

Abstract: An electron beam apparatus is disclosed that includes a plurality of current source elements disposed in at least one field emitter array. Each current source element can be a gated vertical transistor, an ungated vertical transistor, or a current controlled channel that is proximate to an optically-modulated current source. The electron beam apparatus includes a plurality of field emitter tips, each field emitter tip of the plurality of field emitter tips being coupled to a current source element of the plurality of current source elements. The electron beam apparatus is configured to allow selective activation of one or more of the current source elements.

Abstract: An electron beam apparatus is disclosed that includes a plurality of current source elements disposed in at least one field emitter array. Each current source element can be a gated vertical transistor, an ungated vertical transistor, or a current controlled channel that is proximate to an optically-modulated current source. The electron beam apparatus includes a plurality of field emitter tips, each field emitter tip of the plurality of field emitter tips being coupled to a current source element of the plurality of current source elements. The electron beam apparatus is configured to allow selective activation of one or more of the current source elements.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus (1) including a combination of a tube (2), cap (4) and plunger (3). The tube is arranged for carrying a collapsible sausage (6) and includes longitudinally extending ribs (8) projecting inwardly of the tube and defining longitudinal grooves (7) therebetween, the grooves having an annular dimension (A) greater than the distance (B) between adjacent ribs. The cap includes: a coupling portion (20) for mounting the cap to the tube; an outlet (21) through which contents of the collapsible sausage carried within the tube arc dispensed; and a chamber (22) into which the sausage is adapted to be collapsed under action of the plunger within the tube. The plunger itself has a main body (11) with radial fins (10) projecting therefrom for receipt in the grooves of the tube, between adjacent ribs, the fins being dimensioned to engage lateral edges of the ribs, in a point contact manner.