METHOD FOR PRODUCING FIELD RADIATING CATHODE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICE Russian patent published in 1995 - IPC

FIELD: electronic engineering. SUBSTANCE: method involves high-voltage ageing by voltage pulses whose amplitude is sufficient for breaking down interelectrode gap but at field intensity at surface of field emitters not over 1·10⁶V/cm at pulse breakdown energy of 0.02-0.03 J. Current picked off cathode is increased and cathode life is extended due to partial pulverization of layer of alkaline-earth metal compounds on metal base during breakdown so that film of these compounds settles down on working surface of emitters. Proposed method has enable 2-3 times increase in current take-off and more than an order of magnitude higher life expectancy as compared to known methods of production of such cathodes. EFFECT: improved emissive capacity and life expectancy of cathode.