High Photocurrent Density and Continuous Electron Emission Characterization of a Multi-Alkali Antimonide Photocathode

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High photocurrent density cathodes that enable small cross-section electron beams are required for high-power terahertz vacuum devices. Multi-alkali antimonide photocathodes may be well suited for generating sub-mm electron beam sources. This paper involves the repeatability, stability, uniformity, and linearity experiments of the multi-alkali antimonide photocathodes electron emission operations under a continuous-wave 450 nm laser with a bias voltage of 5000 V. The effect of heat, electric contact, and cathode surface roughness to emission characterizations is analyzed. The methods to maintain the high-current-density emission and avoid the fatigue of the photocathode are verified. The emission can be repeated with increased optical power. The stable photocurrent density of near 1 A/cm2 and maximum current density of near 1.43 A/cm2 is recorded. The continuous photocurrent density is significantly improved compared to the current density reported in traditional applications. It is found that the current curves measuring at different areas of the photocathode differ greatly after the laser power of 800 mW. The increase in current for some areas may be attributed to the conductive current caused by built-in electric fields between the emission rough area and its adjacent areas.