Author: Mueller, K.
Paper Title Page
THPC136 High Efficiency Visible Photocathode Development 3206
 
  • J. Smedley, K. Mueller, T. Rao
    BNL, Upton, Long Island, New York, USA
  • K. Attenkofer, S.W. Lee
    ANL, Argonne, USA
  • I. Ben-Zvi, X. Liang, E.M. Muller, M. Ruiz-Oses
    Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, USA
  • H.A. Padmore, T. Vecchione
    LBNL, Berkeley, California, USA
 
  Alkali antimonide cathodes are critical both for high average current photoinjectors for energy recovery linacs and for high quantum efficiency photodetectors. These cathodes have historically been plagued by extreme vacuum sensitivity, non-reproducibility and poor lifetime. We report on ongoing efforts to improve the performance of alkali antimonides (principally K2CsSb). Cathodes have been fabricated which have a QE of 7% at 532 nm. The films are much more resistant to oxygen and water exposure than previously thought, with a 50% yield lifetime of 20 hrs at 2 pBar partial pressure of water. Several analysis techniques have been employed in this study, including in-situ x-ray diffraction during growth to measure grain size and texture, measurement of transverse momentum distribution of the emitted electrons, and measurement of the stoichiometry of the films via x-ray fluorescence. An extensive study of the growth parameters, including both transparent and metallic substrates, sputtered and evaporated films, variation of growth time and temperatures and post-growth annealing processes, is currently underway.