Accession Number:

AD0760601

Title:

Optoelectronic Electron Emitter

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 15 Oct 1970-31 Dec 1972

Corporate Author:

RCA LABS PRINCETON NJ

Personal Author(s):

• Schade, Horst E.
• Nelson, Herbert
• Kressel, Henry
• Siekanowicz, Wieslaw W.

Report Date:

1973-05-01

Pagination or Media Count:

66.0

Abstract:

The report describes research performed during a two-year period in order to develop a semiconductor cold-cathode electron emitter with emission properties suitable for practical applications. Greatly improved cold-cathode structures based on negative electron affinity surfaces and on GaAs-AlGaAs heterojunction structures grown by liquid phase epitaxy were developed. The key to the successful development of this device was the ability to obtain highly doped p-type GaAs with electron-diffusion lengths as high as about 5 to 7 micrometers and a technique for the confinement of the carrier flow to the desired emitting area. Extensive studies on dc operation and cathode life were conducted under continuously pumped vacuum conditions as well as in sealed tubes, and operation was obtained for a period of 360 hr.

Descriptors:

• *PHOTOCATHODES
• LIFE EXPECTANCY(SERVICE LIFE)
• DEGRADATION
• ELECTROLUMINESCENCE
• GALLIUM ARSENIDES
• SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES
• WORK FUNCTIONS
• BAND THEORY OF SOLIDS
• RADIOFREQUENCY AMPLIFIERS
• EMISSIVITY
• MANUFACTURING
• EFFICIENCY

Subject Categories:

• Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE