Abstract
Current state of the art hollow cathodes use traditional thermionic emission materials, such as lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6), cerium hexaboride (CeB6), and barium-calcium aluminate impregnated porous tungsten (Ba-W). The work functions of LaB6 and CeB6 are near 2.7 eV, while the work function of Ba-W is near 2.1 eV. Recently, a C12A7 electride hollow cathode was developed and operated. C12A7 electride is a crystalline ceramic in which electrons clathrated in sub-nanometer sized cages act as a conductive medium. Due to its unique atomic structure and large size, C12A7 electride has a predicted work function of 0.6 eV. A prototype C12A7 electride hollow cathode was successfully fabricated and operated as a proof-of-concept. It has been successfully started at room temperature without the benefit of a heater. The operation is stable and reproducible, and barrel temperatures below 600°C have been observed.
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