Ternary ReB6 emitters: A brief study

Abstract

Binary rare-earth lanthanum hexaborides LaB6 and CeB6 have been successfully used in specialty electron guns, such as e-beam lithography systems, for over two decades. During this time, there were a few papers suggesting ternary compound crystal ReB6 may be a better emitter than binary crystals. We have started studying basic emissive properties of the ternary compound LaxCe1-xB6.