Patent · US Expired

Schottky emitter having extended life

US6680562B1 · kind B1 · utility

14Cited by
6References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 15, 2000
Grant dateJan 20, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 22, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J1/15
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A electron emission cathode includes an emitter having an apex from which electrons are emitted. The emitter is attached to a heating filament at a junction and extends from the junction both forward toward the apex and rearward. A reservoir of material that lowers the work function of the emitter is positioned on the rearward extending portion of the emitter. By positioning the reservoir on the rearward extending portion, the reservoir can be positioned sufficiently far from the junction to reduce its temperature and thereby greatly increase the useful life, of the emitter without adversely affected the emission characteristics of the source.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.