Operating model for scandate cathode with scandia doped tungsten bodies

Great attention has been focused on scandate cathodes because of their excellent emission capability. They are considered to be the most promising candidate cathodes for continuously developed vacuum devices in which high emission current density is desired. Nevertheless, there is still no mature model corresponding to such outstanding emission property. In this paper, we reported on our investigation based on the Scandate cathodes with Scandia doped tungsten bodies. Attempts are made to clarify some interesting phenomena presented in manufacture and operating process by means of SEM, EDS, XRD, AES, SAM and corresponding electron emission measurements. Based on the experiment results we proposed a possible operating model for this kind of cathode.