Ni₃Si₂ nanowires for efficient electron field emission and limitations of the Fowler–Nordheim model

This article reports on top-down nanofabricated Ni₃Si₂ nanowires and tests of their electron field emission capabilities. The results include low turn-on electric field, E_ON, moderate work function, Φ, and the field enhancement factor, β, customizable through nanofabrication. The article also reports on the issues ahead in the field of nanowires-based electron mission, as there are quantitative limitations of the applicability of the Fowler–Nordheim model, which will become increasingly apparent as we continue to optimize the field emission of electrons. To this end, we suggest adding the studies of surface-to-volume ratio effects of the nanowires as another standard for comparison in order to lead to the input form of the density of states as quantum effects becoming more prominent.