RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND FABRICATION OF TUNNEL EMISSION CATHODES
Abstract
Research was continued on tunnel emission cathodes with emission current densities up to 740 micron ampere per square cm were obtained. The transmission coefficients (emission current/ film current) ranged between one times ten to the minus four and ten to the minus eight powers. The mechanism by which electrons are transferred from the emitter layer to the accelerator layer is not clear from the data. In some cases, it appears as though tunnel emission occurred, while in other cases it appeared as though thermionic or Schottky emission occurred. In all cases, the units either shorted or opened after several testing cycles. The failure is probably due to the accumulation of heat at the junction due to the poor heat sink conditions. Several approaches to provide a heat sink are being studied. Trans mission electron microscopy is being used to study the emit accelerator films, and X-ray fluorescence is being used to determine film thickness. Testing has been conducted under d-c and pulse conditions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0406268
Entities
People
- J. W. Hall Ii
Organizations
- General Electric