A patterned array of diamond-like carbon (DLC) was grown on anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template by filtered cathodic arc plasma ( FCAP) technique at room temperature. The diameters of patterned array of DLC were similar to 150 nm, and the patterned array density was estimated to similar to 10(9) cm(-2). A broad asymmetric band ranging from 1000 cm(-1) to 2000 cm(-1) was detected by Raman spectrum attributed to characteristic band of DLC. The fraction of sp(3) bonded carbon atoms of the patterned array of DLC was measured by X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) and the ratio was about 62.4%. Field emission properties of the patterned array of DLC were investigated. A low turn-on field of 3.4 V/mu m at 10 mA/cm(2) with an emission area of 3.14 mm 2 was achieved. The results indicated that the electrons were emitted under both the effect of enhanced field because of the geometry and the work function of the DLC sample. Based on Fowler-Nordheim plot, the values of work function for the patterned array of DLC were estimated in range of 0.38 to 1.75 from a linearity plot. (c) 2007 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.