Surface studies of Os Re W alloy-coated impregnated tungsten cathodes

Impregnated tungsten cathodes half-coated with Re/W (or Os/W) alloy and Os Re W alloy at right angles were studied to compare the effects of Os Re W alloy coatings on the electron emission and emission mechanisms. Constant surface metal compositions of 32% Os--29% Re--39% W and 35% Os--26% Re--39% W were obtained from the activated surfaces initially coated with 40% Os--40% Re--20% W and 35% Os--45% Re--20% W alloys, respectively. Thermionic emission microscopy measurements showed that the Os Re W alloy-coated surface gives an average effective work function of 0.29, 0.08, and 0.03 eV lower than the uncoated, Re/W and Os/W alloy-coated surfaces. An effective work function of 1.73 eV was obtained from an activated Os Re W alloy surface. Auger studies exhibited a smaller BaO coverage and a higher barium coverage in excess of BaO stoichiometry on the Os Re W alloy-coated surface compared to the uncoated, Re/W and Os/W alloy-coated surfaces