A model for the impregnated cathode emission behaviour under ion bombardment

The electron current emitted by a cathode in the saturation region decrease if the cathode is exposed to ion bombardment. The change in surface coverage with barium (oxide) is used in the model to describe the current behaviour. The steady state current reached (equilibrium current) depends on the gas pressure. The experimental results can be explained in terms of the model and the parameters are determined. The temperature dependence of the barium supply rate for an S-and M-type impregnated cathode are determined.     

Surface studies on the low work function surface complex of barium on an osmium-ruthenium substrate

Barium and oxygen on an osmium-ruthenium (Os/Ru) surface is the surface complex responsible for the excellent electron emission properties of commercial M-type thermionic cathodes. A computerized Auger technique was used to study the surface properties of this surface complex and compare it with results obtained earlier for Ba-O-W surfaces, which characterize the properties of commercial barium impregnated tungsten thermionic cathodes. Barium desorption, electron emission and barium, barium oxide evaporation were measured at elevated temperatures for this experimental surface study. Desorption measurements, at 1100°C, on the barium on osmium-ruthenium substrate show that the energy for desorption was higher than that for the lowest work function Ba-O-W surface (5.4 to 4.8 eV). Oxygen was always present on the sputtered Os/Ru substrate and contributed to the strong bonding of barium to the Os/Ru surface. The barium and barium oxide evaporative products from such a surface at 1100°C were found to be mainly barium with the Ba/BaO ratio equal to approximately 100.     

新型的覆纳米粒子薄膜阴极的研究

采用直流磁控溅射的方法制备出Ir金属纳米粒子薄膜.利用扫描电子显微镜分析了纳米粒子的形态和分布以及不同工艺条件对粒子粒径及形貌的影响,表明纳米粒子的大小可通过调节溅射气体压强来控制.在25%孔度的W海绵基体内浸入6∶1∶2铝酸盐发射物质,然后在其表面沉积上厚度为200—500 nm的纳米粒子薄膜层,最后在H₂气中1200℃烧结,即制成了新型纳米粒子薄膜阴极.利用阴极发射微观均匀性测试仪对纳米粒子薄膜阴极和传统覆膜阴极的热电子发射的均匀性进行了对比研究.采用飞行时间质谱仪测试了真空本底、纳米粒子薄膜阴极、传统覆膜阴极等各种阴极蒸发物的成分,研究了阴极蒸发速率与阴极温度的关系,比较了不同阴极蒸发速率的大小.研究了Ba-W阴极覆上纳米粒子薄膜后的发射特性. 关键词： 纳米粒子薄膜 热阴极 发射均匀性 蒸发     

“Alternative” auger analysis reveals important properties of M-type and scandate cathodes

It is shown that in the evaluation of Auger spectra, as measured on cathode surfaces, the elemental sensitivities have to be corrected for differences in elemental number density. The substrate and the surface covering material have to be treated differently in the analysis. The result for normal M-type cathodes is that — besides the Ba---O cover — there is an excess oxygen concentration on the surface of about two times the Ba---O concentration. This in spite of the fact that the oxygen to barium peak-to-peak height ratio in the measured spectra is about equal to 2. For a degraded M-cathode the excess oxygen level is found to be much higher than for the normal cathodes. A new type of scandate cathode is described and discussed. Its analysis shows more Ba and, relatively, much less excess oxygen than for the M-type cathodes. This may account for the substantially higher emission.     

Surface composition and barium evaporation rate of “pedigreed” impregnated tungsten dispenser cathodes during accelerated life testing

A study has been made of the surface composition and barium evaporation rate of “pedigreed” impregnated tungsten dispenser cathodes. The effect of air exposure on coated cathodes was examined and was found to have no significant effect on barium evaporation rate although in some cases longer reactivation times were required. No changes in surface topography were apparent following air exposure and reactivation. Life testing was done at 100°C above the typical operating temperature for the cathode, where the typical operating temperature was taken to be 950°C for coated cathodes and 1050°C for uncoated cathodes. The cathodes were examined at different stages of life testing, up to 1200 h. Significant decreases in barium evaporation rates were found after as few as 500 h of life testing. After 1000 h the evaporation rate had decreased more than an order of magnitude. Changes in surface composition were also found. The effects of tungsten particle size, used in manufacture of the billet, on barium evaporation rate were also studied but no correlation was found.     

Ion scattering spectroscopy studies of barium and oxygen on tungsten and tungsten-based dispenser cathodes

In order to use Ion Scattering Spectroscopy (ISS) for studies of tungsten dispenser cathodes, the relevant ISS sensitivities must be measured. Calibrations have been made using a polycrystalline tungsten ribbon with controlled coverages of oxygen, barium and combinations thereof. Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) was used to monitor these controlled surfaces and the escape depths of the tungsten Auger electrons in barium and oxygen have been measured. The absolute ISS sensitivities of all three elements were found to be strongly dependent on the barium coverage of the tungsten surface. This effect has been attributed to the lowering of the work function of the tungsten surface caused by the barium adsorption. However, the relative ISS sensitivities of the three elements are not affected in this way when both barium and oxygen (or oxygen alone) are present on the tungsten surface. ISS spectra of such surfaces have been analyzed quantitatively and found to be in reasonable agreement with AES measurements. The analysis has also been applied to ISS spectra of uncoated tungsten matrix dispenser cathodes in an active state and following exposure to oxygen. Compared to AES, these spectra indicate less oxygen on the active cathode surfaces as a result of the oxygen (associated with barium) not contributing to the oxygen ISS signal. Comparisons of the spectra from the active and oxygen poisoned cathodes suggest that oxygen adsorbed during the oxygen exposure sits on the topmost barium layer whereas the oxygen on the active cathode surface does not.     

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.     

表面形貌对热阴极电子发射特性的影响

为了研究热阴极表面形貌对电子发射能力的影响,使用飞秒激光微纳加工技术在光滑的热阴极表面制备不同尺寸和形状的周期性条纹结构,并使用相同的制备工艺对阴极进行除气和激活.测试结果显示:阴极表面周期性条纹结构可有效增强阴极的电子发射能力,正交双向条纹结构表面阴极的发射电流密度高于单向条纹结构表面阴极的发射电流密度,而且随条纹结构尺寸的降低,阴极的电子发射能力逐渐增强.对阴极表面形貌进行仿真,发现微尖顶端位置在强电场的作用下具有较强的电子发射能力.当阴极表面微尖底部直径与高度比值(r/h)较小时,微尖的侧面仍是阴极电子发射的主要区域,但是随着r/h减小,阴极的电子发射区域逐渐由微尖侧面发射向微尖顶端转移,场助电子发射效应成为阴极电子发射的主要组成部分.     

Degradation factors of a new long life cathode

This paper analyses the degradation factors of a new long life coated impregnated cathode after accelerated life test. The surface state of the cathode is investigated with scanning electron microscope (SEM) as well as the content and variation of the various elements on the surface and the longitudinal section of the cathode are analyzed with Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) before and after the life test. The analyzing results with SEM show that the cathode coating shrinks at the life end and leads to a rise in its work function. The analyzing results with AES show that the percent of the W increases and the active materials Ba decreases on the cathode surface at the life end. Furthermore, there is less Ba underneath the cathode surface but still a lot of Ba in the tungsten matrix at the life end.     

Loss mechanism and lifetime estimation of Ce–W cathode in high temperature thermionic emission electrostatic precipitation

Rare earth tungsten, 2.2% cerium–tungsten (Ce–W), was used as emission cathode material in thermionic emission electrostatic precipitation. The microstructures and emission properties were investigated. A model was established to estimate cathode lifetime in high temperature and oxygen-bearing atmosphere. Results show that there were not great changes in the inner microstructure of emission materials. But on the surface, tungsten was oxidized to tungsten trioxide and then tungsten trioxide and rare earth oxides evaporated and lost. Decrease of oxygen concentration was effective to prolong operation time of cathode. The increase of temperature reduced cathode lifetime remarkably.     

Preparation and characterization of scandia and Re doped tungsten matrix impregnated cathode

The paper describes the preparation and emission property of scandia and Re doped tungsten matrix impregnated cathode. By an easy and reproducible way, solid-liquid doping combined with two-step reduction, powders of tungsten particles covered with scandium oxide were obtained. Compared with scandia mixed tungsten powders prepared by mechanically mixing, scandia and rhenium doped tungsten powders had smaller particle size, for example, scandia (3 wt%) and Re (5 wt%) doped tungsten powders had the average size of about 50 nm in diameter. Based on this kind of powder, scandia and Re doped tungsten matrix with the sub-micrometer sized tungsten grains and a more uniform distribution of Sc₂O₃ were obtained in this paper. Scandia and Re doped tungsten matrix impregnated cathode had shown excellent emission property and good emission uniformity. The space charge limited current densities of more than 58A/cm² at 900 °C_b could be obtained and the work function of this cathode was as low as 1.18 eV.     

深紫外激光光发射与热发射电子显微镜在热扩散阴极研究中的应用

对热扩散阴极表面微区发射状态进行原位观察和分析一直是热阴极研究的重要课题.本文着重介绍深紫外激光光发射电子/热发射电子显微镜的基本原理及其在热扩散阴极研究中的典型实例.系统配备了高温激活所用的加热装置,样品可被加热至1400℃.系统具有光发射电子、阴极热发射电子、光发射电子和阴极热发射电子联合三种电子成像模式.应用表明,对于热扩散阴极而言,深紫外激光光发射电子像适于呈现阴极表面的微观结构形貌;热发射电子像适于反映阴极表面的本征热电子发射及均匀性;光电子和热电子联合成像适于对阴极表面的有效发射点做出精确定位.     

Characterization of scandia doped pressed cathode fabricated by spray drying method

Scandia doped pressed cathode was prepared by a new method of spray drying combined with two-step hydrogen reduction process. The Sc₂O₃ and barium-calcium aluminate co-doped powders have sub-micrometer size in the range of 0.1-1 μm and scandium oxide and barium-calcium aluminate are distributed evenly in the powders. The cathodes sintered by powder metallurgy at 1600 °C_b have a smooth surface and sub-micrometer grain structure with homogeneous distribution of scandium, barium, calcium and aluminum which are dispersed over and among the tungsten grains. This cathode has good emission, e.g., the current density of this cathode reaches 31.50 A/cm² at 850 °C_b. After proper activation, the cathode surface is covered by a Ba-Sc-O active substances layer with a preferable atomic ratio, leading to its good emission property. The evaporation activation energy of SDP cathode with 4.58 eV is the highest among the Ba-W, M-type and SDP cathodes, and the average evaporation velocity v_t of SDP cathode with 1.28 × 10⁻⁸ g cm⁻² s⁻¹ at 1150 °C_b is the lowest one.     

Sc2O3-W matrix impregnated cathode with spherical grains

Sc₂O₃-W matrix cathodes have been prepared by using a liquid-liquid doping method combined with high-temperature sintering. The microstructure and physical behavior of active substances of scandia-doped tungsten matrix and impregnated cathode has been studied by SEM and AES methods. The results show that the matrix has a homogeneous structure composed of W grains with spherical shape and superfine Sc₂O₃ particles dispersed uniformly over and among W grains. After impregnation, this Sc-type impregnated cathode has high emission capability. Space-charge-limited current density could reach 52 A/cm² at 850 °C_b. The high emission results from a Ba-Sc-O active layer with a thickness of about 80 nm, which is formed at the cathode surface during the activation period. Both the decrease of the thickness of active surface layer and the decrease of the content of Sc at the surface could lead to the degradation of current density during operation.     

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     

M型钡铁氧体陶瓷微珠核壳腔结构吸波材料

利用自反应淬熄法制备了一种M型钡铁氧体空心陶瓷微珠材料,在此基础上,对其表面进行超声波化学镀Ni-Co复合层,从而形成了具有核/壳/腔结构的材料;通过扫描电子显微镜、能谱仪和X射线衍射仪分析表明,该材料具有中空结构,主要物相BaFe12O19为M型钡铁氧体,经过化学镀后,在其表面形成了一层Ni-Co复合层;经过吸波性能测试,化学镀Ni-Co复合层后,在2~18GHz范围内,当厚度为2.10mm时,最低反射率达到了-28.62dB,反射率小于-10dB的带宽为3.33GHz。     

Experimental and numerical investigation of the emission properties of a cathode with a W-Cs3Sb coating

A new cold cathode with a W-Cs₃Sb coating is developed, the emission current of which is one and a half orders of magnitude higher than that of a pure tungsten cathode, while the half-width of the energy spectrum is on the order of 0.3 eV. A theoretical model of the emitter is proposed allowing the main characteristics of the cathode to be calculated. The results are in good agreement with those of the experiment.     

Physical operating principles of scandate cathodes for microwave devices

The electronic structure of barium oxide crystallites determining the emission properties of both dispenser and scandate cathodes has been studied using electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and optical spectroscopy. It has been established that the other elements (calcium, aluminum, scandium, and tungsten) contained in cathode materials are diluted in barium oxide and significantly affect its electronic structure and, consequently, emission properties. The obtained results give an idea about the physical and physicochemical mechanisms of the effect of scandium on the reduction of the work function of scandate cathodes relative to that of the cathodes of other types.     

Analysis of low-dose radiation shield effectiveness of multi-gate polymeric sheets

Computed tomography (CT) uses a high dose of radiation to create images of the body. As patients are exposed to radiation during a CT scan, the use of shielding materials becomes essential in CT scanning. This study was focused on the radiation shielding materials used for patients during a CT scan. In this study, sheets were manufactured to shield the eyes and the thyroid, the most sensitive parts of the body, against radiation exposure during a CT scan. These sheets are manufactured using silicone polymers, barium sulfate (BaSO₄) and tungsten, with the aim of making these sheets equally or more effective in radiation shielding and more cost-effective than lead sheets. The use of barium sulfate drew more attention than tungsten due to its higher cost-effectiveness. The barium sulfate sheets were coated to form a multigate structure by applying the maximum charge rate during the agitator and subsequent mixing processes and creating multilayered structures on the surface. To measure radiation shielding effectiveness, the radiation dose was measured around both eyes and the thyroid gland using sheets in three different thicknesses (1, 2 and 3 mm). Among the 1 and 2 mm sheets, the Pb sheets exhibited greater effectiveness in radiation shielding around both eyes, but the W sheets were more effective in radiation shielding around the thyroid gland. In the 3 mm sheets, the Pb sheet also attenuated a higher amount of radiation around both eyes while the W sheet was more effective around the thyroid gland. In conclusion, the sheets made from barium sulfate and tungsten proved highly effective in shielding against low-dose radiation in CT scans without causing ill-health effects, unlike lead.