Sc-Containing (Scandate) Thermionic Cathodes: Fabrication, Microstructure, and Emission Performance

Mujan N. Seif, Qunfei Zhou, Xiaotao Liu, T. John Balk, Matthew J. Beck

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although thermionic emission has been studied for more than 100 years, recent interest in novel electron devices for military and civilian use has led to a surge in demand for cathodes with enhanced emission properties (e.g., higher current density, more uniform emission, lower operating temperatures, or extended in-service longevity). Sc-containing ``scandate'' cathodes have been widely reported to exhibit superior emission properties compared to previous-generation thermionic cathodes, including oxide, B-, and M-type cathodes. Despite extensive study spanning several decades, the mechanism by which the addition of Sc enhances cathode emission remains ambiguous, and nonuniform emission, low reproducibility, and inconsistent longevity continue to prevent widespread commercial integration of scandate cathodes into electron devices. This first part of a two-part review explores approaches that have been used for fabricating Sc-containing thermionic cathodes and the microstructures and emitting properties that result.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalIEEE Transactions on Electron Devices
DOIs
StateAccepted/In press - 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
IEEE

Keywords

  • Adsorption
  • Barium
  • Cathodes
  • Current density
  • Dispenser cathode
  • Fabrication
  • Mathematical models
  • review
  • scandate cathode
  • thermionic cathode.
  • Thermionic emission

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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