Nanosecond Photoemission near the Potential Barrier of a Schottky Emitter

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates nanosecond laser-triggered photoemission from a Schottky emitter, producing high-current, narrow-energy-spread electron pulses suitable for ultrafast applications, with results aligning with theoretical models.

Contribution

It introduces a method for generating nanosecond electron pulses with tunable current and energy spread using laser-triggered emission from a Schottky emitter.

Findings

Produced over 10^5 electrons per pulse

Achieved energy spreads below 1 eV

Confirmed consistency with theoretical emission models

Abstract

Nanosecond electron pulses are appealing for ultrafast imaging and electron gating applications, where tunable currents and narrow energy spreads are desirable. Here, we demonstrate photoemission from a Schottky emitter triggered by nanosecond laser pulses and use a dispersive magnetic prism array to image the electron energy distributions. Using photon energies optimally tuned to the emission potential barrier, we generate pulses containing over 10$^5$ electrons with energy spreads below 1 eV with a prompt, single-photon emission process. These results are consistent with theoretical models of laser-triggered electron emission and energetic broadening during propagation and can be widely implemented.