Unmet Need
The application of imaging through different modalities has opened several pathways for analysis and study of different materials. Specifically, many applications of cathodes, such as LaB6 have been used for small spot applications, such as Scanning Electron Microscopy and Tunneling Electron Microscopy for surface analysis and metrology applications. They have also been implemented in microwave tubes, lithography, electron-beam welders, X-ray sources, and free electron lasers as these cathodes allow for electron emission. However, although fine-tuned for current applications, there is significant room for improvement in application and analysis. For example, the efficiency of the electron emitter, based on the material of the cathode and characterized by work functions, can be enhanced. Specifically, it is understood that the lower the work function the better the efficiency. Therefore, there is a need for the production of thermionic emitting materials that are capable of generating electron beams to have a lower function to reach the full potential in technological application. In addition, this material must be able to have specific growth conditions that allow for reproducibility along with improved efficiency, cost effectiveness, and accuracy.
Technology Overview
Studies have shown SrVO3 could be a potential solution to this problem. However, thermionic emission surface studies to date of SrVO3 have been hampered by the lack of good quality, large single crystals. To combat this, the inventors have developed an efficient and reproducible process that can be utilized to produce high quality SrVO3 single crystals that are much larger in size than previously studied. This method for production of this improved thermionic emitting material in an efficient protocol that results in large crystal production of SrVO3 with dimension up to 15-20 nm in length and 0.6 mm in diameter consistently, which improves upon the high level of variability in other production methodologies for SrVO3. Therefore, the inventors have conclusively and reproducibly discovered a process that ensures growth of large single crystals of SrVO3 along with other known compounds without secondary phase impurities. This can be a potential application for next generation thermionic electron emitters in device such as electron beam lithography and electron microscopy can utilize this process, due to the ability to reduce the difficulty in preparing the material with sufficient purity and crystalline quality.
Stage of Development
The inventors have created crystals using this methodology and a patent application has been filed.
