Electron beam diodes using ferroelectric cathodes

A new high current density electron source is investigated. The source consists of a polarized ceramic disk with aluminium electrodes coated on both faces. The front electrode is etched in a periodic grid to expose the ceramic beneath. A rapid change in the polarization state of the ceramic results in the emission of a high density electron cloud into a 1 to 10mm diode gap. The anode potential is maintained by a charged transmission line. Some of the emitted electrons traverse the gap and an electron current flows. The emitted electron current has been measured as a function of the gap spacing and the anode potential. Current densities in excess of 70 A/cm² have been measured. The current is found to vary linearly with the anode voltage for gaps < 10 mm, and exceeds the Child-Langmuir current by at least two orders of magnitude. The experimental data will be compared with predictions from a model based on the emission of a cloud of electrons from the ferroelectric which in turn reflex in the diode gap.