Stabilization of electron emission from PZT by MgO coatings

Abstract

Fatigue of electron emission from PZT ceramic has been improved by MgO coating on the sample. The surface near boundary between electrode and PZT ceramic has been observed by optical microscope and SEM before and after the electron emission by applying a pair of bipolar pulses. The computer simulation of the electric field distribution shows that a high-intensity electric filed exists near the triple point and results in generation of a plasma, which damages the surface of the electrode and thus makes the electron emission unstable. MgO coating of the surface of the electrode and PZT enlarges cycles of electron emission.