Characteristics of electron emission from La-doped Pb(Zr,Sn,Ti)O₃ antiferroelectric cathode under negative triggering pulse

The electron emission property of a novel antiferroelectric cathode material lanthanum-doped lead zirconate stannate titanate (PLZST) on application of negative triggering voltage pulses has been investigated. It was found that strong electron emission from PLZST could be achieved under lower triggering voltage at room temperature. There were always two electron emission pulses when negative triggering pulses were applied. A large emission current of 690 A was obtained with a negative triggering voltage of 500 V and extraction voltage of 3.5 kV. Strong electrons emission was the co-effect of surface plasma and noncompensated negative charges at the surface of the antiferroelectric. Field-induced local phase transition in the vicinity close to triple junction results in primary electron emission from these areas. These primary emission electrons ignited surface plasma and then leaded to the strong emission.