A high-intensity electron source from GaAs

Abstract
The authors are preparing a very low-temperature electron beam in order to investigate the ultimate possibilities of the electron cooling method. They present the initial results relative to an electron source, utilising photoemission from negative electron affinity GaAs. Electron currents in the region of 1 mA were achieved with a CW 65 mW argon ion laser. A photocathode lifetime of 17 hours has been measured.