MANUFACTURE OF SCANDIUM DISPENSOR CATHODE AND DISPENSOR CATHODE MANUFACTURED THEREBY

摘要

A method of manufacturing a scandate dispenser cathode having a matrix (1) at least the top layer of which consists substantially of a mixture of tungsten with scandium oxide or with a mixed oxide comprising scandium oxide. When sintering of the matrix is carried out at a temperature between 1300 DEG and 1700 DEG C., preferably at approximately 1500 DEG C. and in a hydrogen atmosphere, cathodes are obtained having a better recovery after ion bombardment compared with cathodes sintered at 1900 DEG C. Sintering in hydrogen results in a better reproducibility.