Large area directly heated lanthanum hexaboride cathode structure having predetermined emission profile

Patent · Mon Jan 02 23:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:6474067

Leung, K N; Gordon, K C; Kippenham, D O; Purgalis, P; Moussa, D; Williams, M D; Wilde, S B; West, M D

A directly heated lanthanum hexaboride cathode system is described. It consists of: a lanthanum hexaboride cathode element generally circular in shape about a central axis and having a head and base at opposite ends of a central axis, the head end having a generally planar emission surface extending radially from the axis and an outer peripheral contact surface, the cathode element having an integral, axially-elongated, tapered, intermediate body extending along the central axis between the head to the base, the intermediate body having a progressively diminishing cross-section from the head towards the base, a first electrical connector in conducting engagement with and peripherally around the contact surface on the head of the cathode element, a second electrical connector in conducting engagement with the base of the cathode element, means for establishing a flow of electrical current from one of the electrical connectors through the cathode element to the other of the electrical connectors.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4795940
• OSTI ID: 6474067
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360204 -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Physical Properties
42 ENGINEERING
420800* -- Engineering-- Electronic Circuits & Devices-- (-1989)
BORIDES
BORON COMPOUNDS
CATHODES
CURRENTS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTRODES
EMISSION
EQUIPMENT
HEATING
LANTHANUM BORIDES
LANTHANUM COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RARE EARTH COMPOUNDS