[en] Photoemission characteristics of three different cathodes, CsI, Ag film and Cu were investigated. CsI, upon irradiation by 213 nm, 10ps laser pulse yields a quantum efficiency of 4% at O.2μJ input energy. The saturation mechanism observed at higher input energies require further investigation. Ag film, upon irradiation by 630 nm, 300 fs laser emit prompt photoelectrons after absorbing 2 photons. There was no evidence of optical damage of the film up to 10¹¹ W/cm². At low intensities, photoemission from Cu is a simple ν-e^- interaction, the nonlinearity of the process depending strongly on trace impurities. At higher intensities, there appears to be a change in the emission mechanism