Kimball Physics offers three types of Disc Cathodes; 1) Tantalum standard refractory disc (Ta), 2) Barium Oxide (BaO) coated disc for low temperature operation, and 3) Yttria (Y2O3) coated disc that tolerates poor vacuum conditions.
The Kimball Physics Tantalum Disc Cathode is a general purpose thermionic emitter. This refractory metal cathode is quite sturdy and provides stable and uniform electron emission for a wide variety of electron source applications.
The Kimball Physics Barium Oxide Coated Disc Cathode is a low-light, low-temperature thermionic emitter. The cathode structure of the ES-015, ES-064, and ES-066 consists of a barium oxide (BaO) coated disc substrate that is heated by conduction from a tungsten hairpin and mounted on an industry-standard ceramic AEI base or on a compact Kimball Physics ceramic base. Other bases are available on a custom basis.
Kimball Physics offers a Yttria Coated Iridium Disc Cathode. In addition to being a ruggedized thermionic emitter that resists oxidation, these cathodes provide stable and uniform electron emission for a wide variety of electron source applications, especially where vacuum conditions are not ideal. The cathode structure of the ES-535, ES-526, and ES-529 consists of a yttrium oxide coated iridium disc that is heated by conduction from an iridium hairpin and mounted on an AEI or a Kimball Physics base. The ES-535W consists of a yttrium oxide coated iridium disc with tungsten hairpin in place of the iridium hairpin. Other bases are available on a custom basis.
To LEARN MORE about our complete product line of cathodes / electron emitters, please refer to our Kimball Physics Cathode Summary document (PDF). A basic tutorial covering Cathodes/Electron Emitters is available in our Learning Center.
