摘要 |
A flat thermionic cathode is provided with a substrate having at least one main heating element thereon to produce at least one substantially localized area of heat and a sub-heating element to substantially define a heating area, the localized area being produced within the heating area. A cathode element including electron emissive material is disposed at the localized area. While the localized area tends to produce a temperature gradient directed from the localized area toward the perimeter of the substrate so as to create thermal stress in the substrate along the perimeter thereof, the sub-heating element reduces this temperature gradient and, consequently, the thermal stress. |