A simple method to measure work function

Abstract

Work function is an important parameter for identifying cathode quality during developing a new cathode or improving cathode manufacturing engineering. This thesis introduced how to obtain cathode zero field current and relevant cathode temperature by means of the method of descent and how to calculate work function by the Richard equation. So a needful method to rapidly measure work function is discovered. The method has no need of complicated equipment and applies to productive establishment. The thesis briefly described measuring principle, equipment and measuring method and gives the measuring data of work function of various scandate cathodes. lt also simply analyzed measuring error.