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Field emission cathode with metallic boride coating

Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1969-04-30
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1989-04-30
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Abstract

Abstract A field emission cathode comprises a hairpin rhenium filament coated with lanthanum boride and with a fine tungsten tip attached to the rhenium filament serves as an efficient source of electrons. The presence of free lanthanum atoms at the tungsten surface lowers the work function and enhances the field emission from the tungsten tip.

Inventors

  • 👤 Louis J Favreau

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 11:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J1/00; H01J1/02; H01J1/30; H01J1/304

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 17 words
A field emission cathode as recited in claim 1 wherein said sides are made of rhenium metal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 25 words
A field emission cathode as recited in claim 2 further comprising support means connected to the ends of said rhenium filament for supporting the same.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 48 words
A field emission cathode as recited in claim 1 wherein said lanthanum boride coating is applied to each side of said filament for providing a source of free lanthanum atoms which migrate to said tungsten tip at elevated temperatures thereby lowering the work function of said tungsten tip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
A field emission cathode as recited in claim 4 further comprising support means connected to the ends of said filament for supporting the same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 48 words
A field emission cathode as recited in claim 2 wherein said lanthanum boride coating is applied to the sides of said filament for providing a source of free lanthanum atoms which migrate to said tungsten tip at elevated temperatures thereby lowering the work function of said tungsten tip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
A field emission cathode as recited in claim 1 further comprising support means connected to the ends of said rhenium filament for supporting the same.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3312856A Cited
US3356887A Cited
US3363961A Cited
US3461338A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1974-12-27 1975-06-28 1975-12-28 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1978-12-27 1979-06-28 1979-12-28 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1982-12-27 1983-06-28 1983-12-28 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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