Product Overview

Disc cathode emitting into a Faraday cup


LaB₆ cathodes packaged for shipment


Mounted LaB₆ crystal with 50 μm flat (153x)

Kimball Physics emitters provide a reliable source of electrons or ions for use in a variety of instruments including microscopy, lithography, x-ray generation, free electron lasers, electron accelerators, and other custom applications. Other applications include Kimball Physics electron guns and ion guns.

Cathode Types

• Lanthanum Hexaboride (LaB₆) high brightness single-crystal
• Tantalum (Ta) disc
• Barium Oxide (BaO) coated disc
• Yttria (Y₂O₃) coated iridium disc
• Tungsten (W) filament

Base Types

• High tolerance ceramic with kovar or molybdenum pins
• Standard ceramic AEI base
• Compact Kimball Physics CB-104 base
• Various microscope bases
• Cathodes may also be mounted on customer-suppplied bases

Alkali Metal Ion Sources

• Cesium (Cs+)
• Lithium (Li+)
• Sodium (Na+)
• Potassium (K+)
• Rubidium (Rb+)

To compare cathodes, see the Product Selection/Price Chart.

To view cathodes for specific SEM/TEM instruments and manufacturers, see Cathodes/Emitters for Microscopy.

To learn more, see Technical Information.