skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Effect of Sb thickness on the performance of bialkali-antimonide photocathodes

Journal Article · · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, Vacuum, Surfaces and Films
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.4939563· OSTI ID:22489803
 [1]; ; ;  [2]
  1. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23529 and The Applied Research Center, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, Newport News, Virginia 23606 (United States)
  2. Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, Newport News, Virginia 23606 (United States)

The alkali species Cs and K were codeposited using an effusion source, onto relatively thick layers of Sb (50 nm to ∼7 μm) grown on GaAs and Ta substrates inside a vacuum chamber that was baked and not-vented, and also baked and vented with clean dry nitrogen but not rebaked. The characteristics of the Sb films, including sticking probability, surface roughness, grain size, and crystal properties were very different for these conditions, yet comparable values of photocathode yield [or quantum efficiency (QE)] at 284 V were obtained following codeposition of the alkali materials. Photocathodes manufactured with comparatively thick Sb layers exhibited the highest QE and the best 1/e lifetime. The authors speculate that the alkali codeposition enabled optimized stoichiometry for photocathodes manufactured using thick Sb layers, which could serve as a reservoir for the alkali materials.

OSTI ID:
22489803
Journal Information:
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, Vacuum, Surfaces and Films, Vol. 34, Issue 2; Other Information: (c) 2016 American Vacuum Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0734-2101
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Cited By (2)

Compact 300    kV dc inverted insulator photogun with biased anode and alkali-antimonide photocathode journal November 2019
Long lifetime polarized electron beam production from negative electron affinity GaAs activated with Sb-Cs-O: Trade-offs between efficiency, spin polarization, and lifetime journal February 2020