Lanthanum Hexaboride Cathode for Electronic Devices

by Julissa G. Content generator

As the core of various electronic devices, the cathode material will directly determine the overall performance of the device, and the new material is one of the main ways to improve the cathode function in the hollow cathode emitter. In terms of the choice of cathode materials, the influence of the material's work function, electrical conductivity, density, thermal stability, chemical stability and other factors on its emission performance, as well as the material processing requirements must be taken into consideration.

The rapid development of modern science and technology and the further development of new materials provide a broad space for development and potential for the development of cathode electron sources. The continuous improvement of the technical level in the field of micro-mechanical processes has greatly promoted the use of new materials in electronic sources.

Lanthanum Hexaboride Cathode

At present, there are many materials for hollow cathode emitters, and among them, lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) is an ideal material for use with hollow cathode emitters because of its excellent physical and chemical properties. The LaB6 cathode is widely used in aerospace, ion source, industrial, equipment manufacturing, and scientific research.

The cathode is a key component of the propulsion system. High-quality cathodes are important not only for the efficiency and reliability of the electric propulsion system, but also for limiting the long life of the electric propulsion system. From the perspective of the demand of the electric propulsion system, according to the size of the emission current, the cathode is divided into a low current cathode, a medium current cathode and a high current cathode; and according to different cathode materials, it is divided into a conventional Ba-W cathode and LaB6 cathode.

The advantages of the conventional Ba-W cathode are low work function, low cathode temperature, low heating power, and low technical difficulty in heating. However, this conventional cathode is easily poisoned and can only be used in a vacuum. If exposed to the atmosphere, it requires complicated activation treatment or even complete loss of activity. The LaB6 cathode overcomes the shortcomings of the conventional cathode, and has strong anti-poisoning ability and anti-ion bombardment ability, and can be exposed to the atmosphere for a long time without special treatment.

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