Kimball Physics LaB6 and CeB6 cathodes

The new improved Kimball Physics Model ES-423E (Extended Life) LaB₆ Cathode is a high performance, resistively heated, thermionic electron source. The improvement stability of the LaB6 crystal, results in less exposure of LaB₆, which reduces Wehnelt aperture contamination.

Its lifetime is in excess of 6 months with continuous operation. Continuous operation at the full operating temperature improves the thermal stability of the gun and hence beam current stability. It is no longer necessary to wait hours for stable beam conditions in order to perform quantitative EEL or EDX measurements.

Features:

• Extended Life - Thousands of Hours in Clean Vacuum. Guaranteed Life (Measured in Surface Loss). Guaranteed Against Mounting Structure Failure.
• Exceptional Stability - Thermal/Chemical/Electrical. Precision Machined Carbon Mounting. High over-temperature Tolerance.
• High Brightness/Low Energy Spread - Oriented Single Crystal. Best-Quality/High-Purity Material.
• Accurate Microflats - Superior Optics/Controlled Source Size Standard Diameter Available.

Applications:

• Scanning Electron Microscopes
• Transmission Electron Microscopes
• Electronlithography Systems
• X-Ray Sources

Technical Data

Specifications:

• Emitter is machined to 15 ±2µm diameter (standard), microflat alignment to the instrument base can be provided (on request), oriented-single-crystal, <100> surface.
• Mounted on the end of a single-piece, stress-free, carbon heater rod, held in place by a carbon ferrule. Mounting structure will last more than 10,000 hours.
• High degree of axial symmetry provides great mechanical stability.
• Rod has a 100µm slot along the axis, which allows the heating current to go up one side and down the other.
• SEM type instruments, its lifetime is up to 3000 - 4000 hours In TEM instruments the lifetime can be even longer.
• Chemical reactivity and mechanical drift problems have been eliminated.

Ordering Information

For most SEM's and TEM's, the standard Styles 90-15 (90° included angle with a 15*m flat) is recommended.

• Style 90-15 (90° included angle with a 15*m flat) is recommended for Leica/Cambridge.
• Style 90-06 (90° included angle with a 6*m flat) is for high resolution, and selective TEM's. This cathode provides higher brightness, but with some compromise in lifetime.

1. Specify Model: Model ES-423E & Style

   i.e. Style 90-15 : Standard Microflat
   Style 90-20 : Standard for Leica, Cambridge
   Style 90-20 : 90° Angle w/non-standard microflat
   Style 60-06 : 60° Angle w/non-standard microflat

   • Specify Instrument Manufacturer and Model No.
   • Specify Type of Instrument: SEM, TEM, STEM.