Inherent Enhancement of Electronic Emission from Hexaboride Heterostructure

Abstract

Thermionic emission of electrons from surfaces has strong potential for applications in renewable energy technology and scientific instrumentation, but progress depends on discovering or designing advanced emitter (cathode) materials. The calculations in this study show that cathodes made of LaB${}_{6}$/BaB${}_{6}$ superlattices can yield much higher thermionic current densities than traditional cathodes of pure LaB${}_{6}$, and could be operated at significantly lower temperatures for greater stability.