Electron and positive ion acceleration with pyroelectric crystals

Abstract

The phenomenon of pyroelectric electron emission has been employed to develop miniature x-ray sources, such as the Cool-X by Amptek (www.amptek.com/coolx.html). The source strength of a pyroelectric x-ray generator is dependent on the emitted electron energy and current. Similarly, the source strength of a pyroelectric neutron generator will be dependent on the energy and production rate of deuterium ions in the fill gas. This paper summarizes our results in experiments directed toward creating high-energy electrons and positive ions with a pyroelectric source. Single-crystal sources are shown to produce positive ions with energies of up to 98keV and electron energies of up to 143keV. X-ray spectra are presented as proof that a paired-crystal source can increase electron energy to at least 215keV. In addition, we offer independent verification of the “bunched” electron emission effect observed by [Brownridge et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 78, 1158 (2001)].