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Inexpensive, High-Performance, Electron Gun--Advanced Energy Systems, Inc., 27 Industrial Blvd., Suite E, Medford, NY 11763; 516-345-6264
Dr. Hans Bluem, Principal Investigator
Dr. Alan Todd, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-99ER82723
Amount: $99,477
High-performance, high-brightness, radio-frequency photocathode electron guns are in operation at many facilities worldwide. However, the development of reliable, low-cost photocathode sources has proven difficult. This need is driven by both the high cost of the drive laser for photocathode systems and by the poor durability of high-quantum-efficiency photocathode materials that require an ultra-high-vacuum environment. This project will develop a robust photocathode with a quantum efficiency greater than one percent that does not require an ultra-high-vacuum environment. It would permit a major reduction in the photocathode gun system cost by significantly reducing the drive laser power.
In Phase I, a cathode will be fabricated and tested under various conditions to demonstrate robustness under transportation, handling, storage, and use. A preliminary design of an S-Band radio-frequency gun based upon utilizing this cathode concept will be completed. Ultimately, the photocathode will be used in an existing electron source to demonstrate its robustness and high quantum efficiency.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: High-performance, affordable, photocathode radio-frequency guns should find application in research and development accelerator applications. A specific commercial application would be as a source for a near-field infrared microscope system used for quality assurance. Sources based upon this cathode might also find use in electron beam lithography tools.