Possibility of atom movement by very low energy electron beam irradiation

Abstract

The change in the work function of a (W-Sc 2W 3O 12) coated impregnated cathode is observed during the course of work function measurements by means of the retarding potential method utilizing a titaniated W(100) field emitter electron source. The change in work function is negligibly small at the work function minimum but it increases as the final steady state work function value increases. This paper discusses how low energy electron beam irradiation on the order of 2–3 eV, which reduces the effective coverage of the surface monolayer on the cathode, increases the work function.