Description
The Kimball Physics ES-462 (Pincer Mount) lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) cathode is a high performance, resistively heated thermionic electron source. It builds off the long-time success of our ES-423E cathodes, utilizing the same well-proven heater structure and achieving the same extended lifetimes.
Like its predecessor, the ES-462 is ideal for use in many brightness-limited electron optical systems, including SEMs, TEMs, probes, and electron lithography tools. However, the ES-462 brings a significant improvement in operating stability that makes it the preferred choice for demanding applications in which constant beam current is important.
Our patented ES-462 cathodes incorporate improved heat-sinking and robust electrical connections to produce a LaB6 emitter with unrivaled electrical and positional stability.
The “Pincer Mount” mechanism, found in the ES-462 LaB6 cathodes, uses two molybdenum pins to directly and firmly clamp the carbon heater. Pincer mount cathodes consistently display minimal resistance fluctuations, even at high operating temperatures of 1800o K or greater. They retain extreme stability after over 10,000 temperature cycles from room temperature to 1800oK and back, and after more than 100 days of continuous operation. Stable resistance equates to stable operating temperatures, which in turn improves the stability of the cathode’s emission.
The same robust mounting scheme that gives excellent resistance stability also produces a cathode with excellent spatial stability, with minimal off-axis thermal motions upon heating. This allows pincer mount cathodes to remain in optimal alignment with other elements in the electron optical system when heated from room temperature to operating temperature.
FOR USE IN:
- Scanning Electron Microscopes
- Transmission Electron Microscopes
- Electron Lithography Systems
- Electron Accelerators
- X-ray Sources
- Free Electron Lasers
- Custom Applications
FEATURES / OPTIONS:
- Exceptional Stability
- Robust electrical connections and improved heat-sinking
- Low mechanical motion
- High over-temperature tolerance
- High Brightness / Low Energy Spread
- <100> oriented single crystal
- Best quality / high purity material
- No Magnetic Materials
- Extended Lifetime
- Thousands of hours in clean vacuum
- Guaranteed against structural mounting failure
- Precision machined carbon mounting
- Accurate Microflats
- Superior Optics
- Controlled source size
- Wide range of diameters
