Fabrication and emission property of LaC2-Mo cathode

Abstract

A new kind of cathode, LaC₂-Mo cathode was prepared through spark plasma sintering method by using the mixed powder of LaC₂ which was prepared by vacuum melting method and molybdenum. It was found that the emission properties of LaC₂-Mo cathode increases with the LaC₂ content increasing. The emission current density of LaC₂-Mo cathode which contains 3.5wt.% LaC₂ could reach 0.90A/cm² at 1400.b whereas that of LaC₂-Mo cathode with 10wt.% LaC₂ could reach 3.02A/cm² at 1400.b. Richardson Work function of LaC₂-Mo with LaC₂ 3.5wt% is 2.53eV.