Abstract: A vacuum-helium-leak-detection method based on a carbon-nanotube-based field-emission sensor that includes a carbon-nanotube-based cathode having a Raman amorphous peak ID/graphite peak IG ratio greater than 1.0. The method involves: setting a field-emission current at an initial, small emission current, recording an average of values of the field-emission current in a time period t, forming a sensing characteristic curve of the sensor, and performing fitting on the sensing characteristic curve so as to obtain an index curve; converting pressure values of helium gas into vacuum leak rates; and packaging the cathode into a vacuum chamber in a system to be detected, performing testing when a helium stream in the system to be detected reaches balance, obtaining an average of current variations in the time period t during the testing, and comparing the average with the index curve so as to determine a vacuum leak rate of the system to be detected.

Abstract: A field emission ion source has nanostructure materials on at least an emitting edge of the anode electrode. Metal is transferred from a metal reservoir to the emitting edge of the anode, where the metal is transferred to an emitting end of the nanostructure materials and is ionized under an applied electric field. Plural ion sources can be combined to form a field emission ion source device. The numbers of emitting sources are selectable through electric or mechanical switches and different ion extraction potentials can be applied. Various nanostructure materials include: single wall carbon nanotubes and bundles, few-walled carbon nanotubes and bundles, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and bundles, and carbon fiber. Nanostructure-containing material is integrated into the anode by electrophoresis, dielectrophoresis, CVD, screen printing, and mechanical methods.

Abstract: A field emission ion source has nanostructure materials on at least an emitting edge of the anode electrode. Metal is transferred from a metal reservoir to the emitting edge of the anode, where the metal is transferred to an emitting end of the nanostructure materials and is ionized under an applied electric field. Plural ion sources can be combined to form a field emission ion source device. The numbers of emitting sources are selectable through electric or mechanical switches and different ion extraction potentials can be applied. Various nanostructure materials include: single wall carbon nanotubes and bundles, few-walled carbon nanotubes and bundles, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and bundles, and carbon fiber. Nanostructure-containing material is integrated into the anode by electrophoresis, dielectrophoresis, CVD, screen printing, and mechanical methods.