Fast turn-on characteristics of tungsten-based dispenser cathodes. II

In the Proceedings of the 1982 Tri-Service Cathode Workshop, the authors described studies of the reactivations of tungsten-based dispenser cathodes following poisonings of the kind expected during shelf storage of a microwave tube [Appl. Surface Sci. 16 (1983) 73]. Further work on the problems of reactivation following such poisoning is described here. In addition to coated (“M”) and uncoated tungsten matrix cathodes, the tungsten-iridium mixed metal matrix (“MM”) cathode has been studied. In general reproducible results have been obtained from different examples of the same type of “M” and uncoated cathodes. However, although some “MM” cathodes have exhibited good reactivation characteristics, a large variation has been observed between different examples of “MM” cathodes. The composition of the impregnant in the dispenser cathodes has been found to be an important factor in determining the reactivation rate of a cathode. As the barium oxide concentration in the impregnant increases, the cathode will recover faster from a poisoning exposure. Studies of the poisoning caused by combinations of different gases suggest that poisoning will occur if there is a sufficient exposure of a poisoning agent, regardless of the total exposure. The exposures necessary to poison a cathode are so small, that poisoning of the cathode appears probable during shelf storage of a microwave tube. The reactivation results have been summarised in terms of the times and temperatures required to achieve both a given current density and a given degree of reactivation from a poisoned cathode. The studies also indicate that the limiting step during the reactivation process involves the dispensing of fresh material to the cathode surface rather than the desorption or conversion of a poisoned surface layer.     

Diffusion and desorption of barium and oxygen on tungsten dispenser cathode surfaces

Auger measurements have been made on the concentration of barium and oxygen diffusing out of a pore and slot onto the surface of a simulated tungsten dispenser cathode. Profiles of concentration vs distance from the source were obtained at different temperatures. It is found that at cathode operating temperatures very little gradient of oxygen concentration exists on the surface, and under steady state conditions Ba is the main diffusing species. Ba diffusion distances derived are consistent with previous measurements. However it is found that this distance increases with concentration in spite of the fact that the Ba surface lifetime decreases with concentration. Time dependent measurements made on a clean surface show that the rate of Ba and O build up is limited by the supply rate of oxygen to the surface. This supply rate is not diffusion limited but seems to be limited by the mechanism generating free oxygen. A comparison of emission microscope measurements on a tungsten matrix dispenser cathode with the simulated cathode data indicates that similar oxygen generation processes may be controlling the activation of these cathodes.     

Dependence of surface coverage on pore geometry in dispenser cathodes

This paper shows that the surface coverage of Ba/BaO on tungsten is more complete when the activator is supplied via slotted pores rather than circular pores. Both theoretical and experimental evidence is given to support this contention. The effect is primarily a geometrical one, since the surface diffusion in the case of circular pores is two-dimensional, whereas the surface diffusion for slotted pores is linear. The contrast becomes less pronounced as the circular pore size decreases. For dimensions of the order of those found on cathode surfaces (e.g., 10 μ m diameter pores), a hexagonal array of circular pores can be optimized to produce an emitting area of 88% of the total, with a pore open area of about 11%. For slotted pores, the slot widths can be made arbitrarily narrow, consequently, the emitting area approaches 100% while pore evaporation losses are minimized. A slotted-pore cathode should, therefore, be capable of higher and more uniform current density with less barium dispensation. When the pore geometry is controlled, either for round holes or slots, the cathode should be less prone to space-charge-limited slump than those based on random sintered pores     

Auger studies comparing the surface concentration of barium on tungsten impregnated and M-cathodes

A study comparing the surface concentration of barium on both an impregnated tungsten cathode surface and M-type cathode surface was made to determine whether the higher electron emission capability of the latter can be attributed to a higher average surface barium concentration. Relative quantitative data was obtained by the use of a computerized Auger microprobe spectrometer on the surface of the cathode, half of whose area was M-type, the other half being the tungsten impregnated type. The results indicate that both cathode surfaces have equivalent barium concentrations and that they are approximately equal to a barium monolayer after 3000 h of cathode life.     

Relative work function, surface composition and topography of “pedigreed” impregnated tungsten dispenser cathodes

A study has been made of the variation in work function, surface composition, and topography of 5:3:2 impregnated tungsten dispenser cathodes made under carefully controlled conditions (pedigreed cathodes). Despite these conditions several cathodes had unexpected deposits on their emitting surfaces, and one showed a variation in work function and composition across the surface during activation.     

The tungsten powder study of the dispenser cathode

The intercorrelation of tungsten powder properties, such as grain size, distribution and morphology, and porous matrix parameters with electron emission capability and longevity of Ba dispenser cathodes has been investigated for the different grain morphologies. It is shown that a fully cleaning step of the tungsten powder is so necessary that the tungsten powder will be reduction of oxide in hydrogen atmosphere above 700 °C. The porosity of the tungsten matrix distributes more even and the closed pore is fewer, the average granule size of the tungsten powder distributes more convergent. The porosity of the tungsten matrix and the evaporation of the activator are bigger and the pulse of the cathode is smaller when the granularity is bigger by the analysis of the electronic microscope and diode experiment.     

Infrared vibration spectroscopy of molecular adsorbates on tungsten using reflection inelastic electron scattering

The observation of adsorbate vibrational energies in the range, 30 ?, hv_vib ? 1000 meV, by electron-energy-loss spectroscopy, provides detailed information on the geometry of atomic and molecular complexes. The “surface normal dipole selection rule”, is discussed and illustrated with results obtained for CO and C₂H₂ adsorption on the principal low-index faces of tungsten, viz.: W(100), W(110) and W(111) using a high-resolution electron reflection spectrometer. Specifically, the behaviour of chemisorbedd diatomic carbon monoxide and polyatomic acetylene is compared as a function of coverage and surface crystallography. Comparison is made with the spectral information obtained by reflection infrared spectroscopy and recent ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy studies of the chemisorption binding energies. The energy loss spectra are discussed in terms of current adsorbate models and the possible formation of “distorted rehybridized surface molecular complexes” based on molecular orbital theories of organometallic compounds.     

Electron spectroscopy studies of surface In-Ag alloy formation on the tungsten surface

XPS and UPS investigations of ultrathin films of In/Ag and Ag/In, deposited onto the W(1 1 0) surface in the ultrahigh vacuum conditions have been performed. Indium and silver films were formed by “in-situ” evaporation on W(1 1 0) substrate. XPS and UPS studies have been performed by means of SCIENTA ESCA200 instrument. The changes of In4d core-level and Ag4d valence band emissions with increasing Ag and In coverage were monitored to observe the energy shift and shape of the spin-orbit doublet of In4d and Ag4d lines in the Ag/In/W and In/Ag/W systems. UPS (HeI and HeII) measurements were supported by XPS AlK_α measurements of In3d and W4p levels, as well as by investigations of Ag3d levels. XPS and UPS data allowed to evaluate the coverage and make conclusions concerning intermixing and surface alloying in the In/Ag/W and Ag/In/W systems. W(1 1 0) substrate can be cleaned after each deposition by thermal desorption and no alloying in the In/W and Ag/W systems is observed.     

Auger electron spectroscopy of cesium adsorbed on clean and oxygen covered (100) tungsten

Auger electron spectroscopy of cesium adsorbed on clean W(100) shows that the well known N_4,5O_2,3O_2,3 peak can be resolved into three peaks at 43–45.8 and 48.4 eV. Simultaneously as well defined peak appears at 62 eV and it is shown that this transition involves ionization of the N₄N₅ cesium level. An additional peak appears at 56.5 eV as cesium adsorbs on a previously oxygen-covered W(100) surface. Its existence is discussed and might indicate that oxygen valence electrons are involved in this new transition.     

Raman scattering studies on phase transition in barium sodium niobate at high pressure

Phase transition in barium sodium niobate at high pressure is investigated by Raman scattering experiments. Polarized Raman spectra from polished single domain crystal plates of definite orientation are obtained under pressure produced by a diamond anvil device. Anomalous hardening and intensity decrease of 32 cm^-1B₂ mode are found with increasing pressure. A remarkable pressure dependence of the frequencies of the bending modes of NbO₆ octahedrons is observed.     

Dielectronic recombination rate coefficients of Ni-like barium and tungsten

Ab initio calculations of the total dielectronic recombination (DR) rate coefficient of Ni-like barium () and tungsten () in the ground state have been performed using the HULLAC atomic code package. Resonant and nonresonant stabilizing radiative transitions are included. Collisional transitions following electron capture are neglected. The present level-by-level calculations include the DR contributions of all of the levels (over 17000) in the Cu-like inner-shell excited configurations 3d ⁹ 4ln'l' (), 3p ⁵ 3d ¹⁰ 4ln'l' (), and 3s3p ⁶ 3d ¹⁰ 4ln'l' (). For both ions, the configuration complexes with a hole in the 3p inner shell contribute almost 10% to the total DR rate coefficient, while the complexes with a hole in the 3s inner shell contribute about 1%. The converging contributions of the 3d ⁹ 4ln'l' (n' > 9) configurations are evaluated by applying the complex-by-complex extrapolation method and are found to comprise up to about 20% of the total DR rate coefficients throughout a wide electron temperature range. The total DR rate coefficients are fitted to an easy-to-use analytic expression which reproduces the original data with an accuracy of about 2% or better in a very wide temperature range. Received: 1 February 1999     

Field ion microscope studies of very low coverage low temperature oxygen adsorption on tungsten

The field ion microscope has been used to study very low coverage oxygen adsorption on tungsten at 78°K. Adsorbed oxygen cannot be directly observed on the surface using helium ion imaging, but its presence may be inferred from resultant corrosion damage which occurs during the imaging process. Atom for atom comparison before and after an adsorption-desorption sequence allows the crystallographic position and extent of the damage to be precisely determined. Preferential damage along certain zones in the {111} and {411} regions can be correlated with the degree of unsaturation of surface metal bonds. The nature of the adsorbed species and its relationship with the adsorption site are discussed.     

Multi-pulsed intense electron beam emission from velvet, carbon fibers, carbon nano-tubes and dispenser cathodes

The experimental results of studies of four kinds of cathode emitting intense electron beams are demonstrated under multi-pulsed mode based on an experimental setup including two multi-pulse high voltage sources. The tested cathodes include velvet, carbon fibers, carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) and dispenser cathodes. The results indicate that all four are able to emit multi-pulsed beams. For velvet, carbon fiber and CNTs, the electron induced cathode plasma emission may be the main process and this means that there are differences in beam parameters from pulse to pulse. For dispenser cathodes tested in the experiment, although there is a little difference from pulse to pulse for some reason, thermal-electric field emission may be the main process.     

Multi-pulsed intense electron beam emission from velvet,carbon fibers,carbon nano-tubes and dispenser cathodes

The experimental results of studies of four kinds of cathode emitting intense electron beams are demonstrated under multi-pulsed mode based on an experimental setup including two multi-pulse high voltage sources.The tested cathodes include velvet,carbon fibers,carbon nano-tubes(CNTs)and dispenser cathodes.The results indicate that all four are able to emit multi-pulsed beams.For velvet,carbon fiber and CNTs,the electron induced cathode plasma emission may be the main process and this means that there are differences in beam parameters from pulse to pulse.For dispenser cathodes tested in the experiment,although there is a little difference from pulse to pulse for some reason,thermal-electric field emission may be the main process.     

Phase transitions and electrical characteristics of tungsten substituted barium titanate

In the present work, phase transitions and electrical characteristics of tungsten substituted barium titanate are reported. Structural analysis of the prepared samples was carried out to confirm the formation of the compounds in proper phase. Scanning electron micrographs of the compounds have been used to investigate the grain morphology of the material. The dielectric properties of the samples have been studied as a function of temperature and frequency. The variation of dielectric constant (ε_r) with temperature shows a diffuse kind of ferro–paraelectric phase transition. The diffusitivity of the phase transitions has been calculated. Complex impedance spectroscopy analysis was carried out to investigate the electrical characteristics of the specimen.     

Adsorption and desorption of oxygen on stepped tungsten surfaces

The adsorption and desorption of oxygen on stepped tungsten surfaces with orientations close to the (110) orientation and steps parallel to the most densely packed crystal direction ([111]) is studied with low energy electron diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, work function measurements and thermal desorption spectroscopy. With increasing deviation from the (110) orientation, an increasing preference for the formation of the p(2 × 1) domain with the densely packed direction parallel to the steps is noted. The adsorption kinetics does not differ markedly from that on the flat (110) surface, however the desorption behaviour at low coverages (θ < 0.3) is quite different. The results are interpreted in terms of the dissociation of a mobile precursor at terrace and step sites, the competition between the two domains during their growth and a step-induced premature transition to the complex structure observed on flat (110) surfaces at $\text{θ ? 8}$. The steps are believed to play also a significant role in desorption.     

Ion scattering spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy: A powerful combination for surface structure analysis

Low-energy ion backscattering and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) have been used in combination to get better insight into the field of surface crystallography. The synergic effectiveness resulting from the complementing character of the two methods has been exemplified at clean NiAl(111) and for oxygen and nitrogen adsorption on Cu(110). The position of the atom cores is accessible by the low-energy noble gas impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy with neutral detection (NICISS). As a technique averaging over a macroscopic area of the sample, NICISS is better suited to supply information on features of completely developed phases, either on clean or adsorbate saturated surfaces. Additional information, on the other hand, can be gained by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), which as a powerful local probe may be used to image surfaces with atomic resolution and to monitor defects, steps and the growth kinetics of e.g. adsorption-induced phase changes.     

钡钨阴极优化与热电子发射性能

分别从基体和铝酸盐两方面优化了钡钨阴极.在基体方面,首先采用窄粒度钨粉结合放电等离子体烧结获得了孔径分布窄的基体;再利用射频等离子体球化技术制备了球形钨粉,采用球形钨粉制备了多孔基体,获得了孔通道光滑、内孔连通性好、孔径分布更加窄的基体.与窄粒度钨粉基体相比,球形钨粉制备的阴极,空间电荷限制区的斜率由1.25增加至1.37,发射均匀性得到提高,拐点电流密度由6.6 A·cm^–2增至6.96 A·cm^–2.在此基础上,采用液相法改善了铝酸盐物相组成,发现空间电荷限制区的斜率增加至1.44,拐点电流密度增加至21.2 A·cm^–2.通过理论计算对钡钨阴极发射的物理本质进行了研究,发现钡钨阴极发射规律遵循偶极子理论.