公开(公告)号：US10002738B1

公开(公告)日：2018-06-19

申请号：US15466768

申请日：2017-03-22

Applicant: Colorado State University Research Foundation

Inventor： Casey Farnell ,  Cody Farnell ,  John Williams ,  Desiree Williams ,  Bao Gia Nguyen ,  Kathryn Elizabeth Greiner ,  Ryan Kenneth Ham

IPC: H01J9/04 ,  H05H1/24 ,  B22F3/11 ,  H01J29/04 ,  B22F3/24

Abstract: In an example, a method to form a low work function insert includes preparing a mixture that includes a first powder that contains barium, a second powder that contains calcium, a third powder that contains at least one of aluminum, samarium, or magnesium, and a fourth powder that contains a refractory metal. The method may also include heating the mixture, contained in a crucible, in a furnace. Oxygen concentration in the furnace may be maintained at a low partial pressure during heating of the mixture in the furnace. The low work function of the insert allows electrons to be readily extracted from its surface.