paper

Quantum efficiency of technical metal photocathodes under laser irradiation of various wavelength

arXiv:1202.0152 · doi:10.1007/s00339-013-7600-z

Abstract

Quantum efficiency studies for various wavelength and various technical metal surfaces were carried out in a dedicated unbaked vacuum chamber. Copper, magnesium, aluminium and aluminium-lithium photocathodes were irradiated by two different high power, high repetition rate, laser systems. We have observed an emission of electrons for photon energy below the work function of the material. This is explained by multiple photon absorption at the photocathode. We have not observed any degradation of the QE for those materials, but an improvement when irradiating them over a long period of time. This is contrary to observations made in RF photoguns.

PSI technical note 29 pages, 2 tables and 20 figures - Augmented and corrected compare to version 1