Structured photocathodes for improved high-energy x-ray efficiency in streak cameras
Abstract not provided
42 ENGINEERING↗
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Bi-alkali antimonide photocathode growth: An X-ray diffraction study
Bi-alkali antimonide photocathodes are one of the best known sources of electrons for high current and/or high bunch charge applications like Energy Recovery Linacs or Free Electron Lasers. Despite their high quantum efficiency in visible light and low intrinsic emittance, the surface roughness of these photocathodes prohibits their use as low emittance cathodes in high accelerating gradient superconducting and normal conducting radio frequency photoguns and limits the minimum possible intrinsic emittance near the threshold. Also, the growth process for these materials is largely based on recipes obtained by trial and error and is very unreliable. In this paper, using X-ray diffraction, we investigate the different structural and chemical changes that take place during the growth process of the bi-alkali antimonide material K{sub 2}CsSb. Our measurements give us a deeper understanding of the growth process of alkali-antimonide photocathodes allowing us to optimize it with the goal of minimizing the surface roughness to preserve the intrinsic emittance at high electric fields and increasing its reproducibility.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
Photogeneration of Hydrogen from Water by a Robust Dye-Sensitized Photocathode
We report here on a novel photocathode with a “donor-dye-catalyst” assembly structure for water reduction. The photoelectrocatalytic performance of the photocathode under mild conditions, with a photocurrent of -56 µA/cm2 and a Faradaic yield of 53%, is superior relative to other reported photocathodes with surface attached molecular catalysts. Detailed electron transfer analyses, based on transient absorption measurements, show that the successful application of this photocathode originates mainly from the slow back electron transfer following light excitation. The results also demonstrate that addition of the long-chain assembly to the macro-mesoporous electrode surface plays a fundamental role in providing sufficient catalyst for water reduction.
catalysis, hydrogen↗
Correlation of CsK{sub 2}Sb photocathode lifetime with antimony thickness
CsK{sub 2}Sb photocathodes with quantum efficiency on the order of 10% at 532 nm, and lifetime greater than 90 days at low voltage, were successfully manufactured via co-deposition of alkali species emanating from an effusion source. Photocathodes were characterized as a function of antimony layer thickness and alkali consumption, inside a vacuum chamber that was initially baked, but frequently vented without re-baking. Photocathode lifetime measured at low voltage is correlated with the antimony layer thickness. Photocathodes manufactured with comparatively thick antimony layers exhibited the best lifetime. We speculate that the antimony layer serves as a reservoir, or sponge, for the alkali.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Direct observation of bi-alkali antimonide photocathodes growth via in operando x-ray diffraction studies
Alkali antimonides have a long history as visible-light-sensitive photocathodes. This work focuses on the process of fabrication of the bi-alkali photocathodes, K{sub 2}CsSb. In-situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction and photoresponse measurements were used to monitor phase evolution during sequential photocathode growth mode on Si(100) substrates. The amorphous-to-crystalline transition for the initial antimony layer was observed at a film thickness of 40 Å . The antimony crystalline structure dissolved upon potassium deposition, eventually recrystallizing upon further deposition into K-Sb crystalline modifications. This transition, as well as the conversion of potassium antimonide to K{sub 2}CsSb upon cesium deposition, is correlated with changes in the quantum efficiency.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Free-Standing Bialkali Photocathodes Using Atomically Thin Substrates
This study reports successful deposition of high quantum efficiency (QE) bialkali antimonide K2CsSb photocathodes on graphene films. The results pave the way for an ultimate goal of encapsulating technologically relevant photocathodes for accelerator technology with an atomically thin protecting layer to enhance lifetime while minimizing QE losses. A QE of 17% at approximate to 3.1 eV (405 nm) is the highest value reported so far on graphene substrates and is comparable to that obtained on stainless steel and nickel reference substrates. The spectral responses of the photocathodes on graphene exhibit signature features of K2CsSb including the characteristic absorption at approximate to 2.5 eV. Materials characterization based on X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction reveals that the composition and crystal quality of these photocathodes deposited on graphene is comparable to those deposited on a reference substrate. Quantitative agreement between optical calculations and QE measurements for the K2CsSb on free suspended graphene and a graphene-coated metal substrate further confirms the high-quality interface between the photocathodes and graphene. Finally, a correlation between the QE and graphene quality as characterized by Raman spectroscopy suggests that a lower density of atomistic defects in the graphene films leads to higher QE of the deposited K2CsSb photocathodes.
accelerator technology↗
In-situ synchrotron x-ray characterization of K 2 CsSb photocathode grown by ternary co-evaporation
K2CsSb is a promising photocathode candidate to serve as an electron source in next-generation light sources such as Free Electron Lasers (FEL) and Energy Recovery Linacs (ERL). As the traditional recipe for creation of K2CsSb photocathodes typically results in a rough surface that deteriorates electron beam quality, significant effort has been made to explore novel growth methods for K2CsSb photocathodes. In this paper, a method of ternary co-evaporation of K, Cs, and Sb is described. By using in-situ synchrotron X-ray techniques, the quality of the photocathode is characterized during and after the growth. K2CsSb photocathodes grown by this method on Si (100) and MgO (001) substrates show strong (222) texture, and the two photocathodes exhibit 1.7% and 3.4% quantum efficiencies at a wavelength of 530 nm, with a rms surface roughness of about 2-4 nm. This represents an order of magnitude reduction in roughness compared to typical sequential deposition and should result in a significant improvement in the brightness of the generated electron beam.
Ding, Z.↗
Intrinsic emittance reduction in transmission mode photocathodes
High quantum efficiency (QE) and low emittance electron beams provided by multi-alkali photocathodes make them of great interest for next generation high brightness photoinjectors. Spicer’s three-step model well describes the photoemission process; however, some photocathode characteristics such as their thickness have not yet been completely exploited to further improve the brightness of the generated electron beams. Here, we report on the emittance and QE of a multi-alkali photocathode grown onto a glass substrate operated in transmission and reflection modes at different photon energies. We observed a 20% reduction in the intrinsic emittance from the reflection to the transmission mode operation. This observation can be explained by inelastic electron-phonon scattering during electrons’ transit towards the cathode surface. Due to this effect, we predict that thicker photocathode layers will further reduce the intrinsic emittance of electron beams generated by photocathodes operated in transmission mode.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Surface science analysis of GaAs photocathodes following sustained electron beam delivery
Not Available
Shutthanandan, V.↗
High quantum efficiency photocathode simulation for the investigation of novel structured designs
A computer model in CST Studio Suite has been developed to evaluate several novel geometrically enhanced photocathode designs. This work was aimed at identifying a structure that would increase the total electron yield by a factor of two or greater in the 1–30 keV range. The modeling software was used to simulate the electric field and generate particle tracking for several potential structures. The final photocathode structure has been tailored to meet a set of detector performance requirements, namely, a spatial resolution of <40 μm and a temporal spread of 1–10 ps. We present the details of the geometrically enhanced photocathode model and resulting static field and electron emission characteristics.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Effect of Sb thickness on the performance of bialkali-antimonide photocathodes
The alkali species Cs and K were codeposited using an effusion source, onto relatively thick layers of Sb (50 nm to ∼7 μm) grown on GaAs and Ta substrates inside a vacuum chamber that was baked and not-vented, and also baked and vented with clean dry nitrogen but not rebaked. The characteristics of the Sb films, including sticking probability, surface roughness, grain size, and crystal properties were very different for these conditions, yet comparable values of photocathode yield [or quantum efficiency (QE)] at 284 V were obtained following codeposition of the alkali materials. Photocathodes manufactured with comparatively thick Sb layers exhibited the highest QE and the best 1/e lifetime. The authors speculate that the alkali codeposition enabled optimized stoichiometry for photocathodes manufactured using thick Sb layers, which could serve as a reservoir for the alkali materials.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Ultra low emittance electron beams from multi-alkali antimonide photocathode operated with infrared light
The intrinsic emittance of electron beams generated from a multi-alkali photocathode operated in a high voltage DC gun is reported. The photocathode showed sensitivity extending to the infrared part of the spectrum up to 830 nm. The measured intrinsic emittances of electron beams generated with light having wavelength longer than 800 nm are approaching the limit imposed by the thermal energy of electrons at room temperature with quantum efficiencies comparable to metallic photocathodes used in operation of modern photoinjectors.
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
Hierarchically-Structured NiO Nanoplatelets as Mesoscale p-type Photocathodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
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catalysis (heterogeneous)↗
Measurements of electron transport in liquid and gas Xenon using a laser-driven photocathode
Measurements of electron drift properties in liquid and gaseous xenon are reported. The electrons are generated by the photoelectric effect in a semitransparent gold photocathode driven in transmission mode with a pulsed ultraviolet laser. The charges drift and diffuse in a small chamber at various electric fields and a fixed drift distance of 2.0 cm. At an electric field of 0.5 kV/cm, the measured drift velocities and corresponding temperature coefficients respectively are 1.97 ± 0.04 mm/µs and (-0.69 ± 0.05)%/K for liquid xenon, and 1.42 ± 0.03 mm/µs and (+0.11 ± 0.01)%/K for gaseous xenon at 1.5 bar. In addition, we measure longitudinal diffusion coefficients of 25.7±4.6 cm2/s and 149±23 cm2/s, for liquid and gas, respectively. The quantum efficiency of the gold photocathode is studied at the photon energy of 4.73 eV in liquid and gaseous xenon, and vacuum. These charge transport properties and the behavior of photocathodes in a xenon environment are important in designing and calibrating future large scale noble liquid detectors.
Njoya, Oumarou↗
Perspectives on the Development of Oxide-Based Photocathodes for Solar Fuel Production
Photoelectrochemical cells (PECs), which use semiconductor electrodes (photoelectrodes) to absorb solar energy and perform chemical reactions, constitute one of the most attractive strategies to produce chemical fuels using renewable energy sources. Oxide-based photoelectrodes specifically have been intensively investigated for the construction of PECs due to their relatively inexpensive processing costs and better stability in aqueous media compared with other types of photoelectrodes. Although there have been many advancements in the development of oxide-based photoanodes, our understanding of oxide-based photocathodes remains limited. The goal of this Perspective is to examine the recent progress made in the field of oxide-based photocathodes and discuss future research directions. The photocathode systems considered here include binary and ternary Cu-based photocathodes and ternary Fe-based photocathodes. Here, we assessed the characteristics and major advantages and drawbacks of each system and identified the most critical research gaps. The insights and discussions provided in this Perspective will serve as useful resources for the design of future studies, leading to the development of more efficient and practical PECs.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Wide Band Gap CuGa(S,Se) 2 Thin Films on Transparent Conductive Fluorinated Tin Oxide Substrates as Photocathode Candidates for Tandem Water Splitting Devices
Theaim of this report was to explore the potential of CuGa(S,Se)2 thin films as wide-E G top cell absorbers for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. A synthesis was developed on fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) photocathodes by converting copper-rich co-evaporated CuGaSe2 into CuGa(S,Se)2 via a post-deposition annealing. We found it necessary to first anneal CuGaSe2 at low-temperature in sulfur then at high-temperature in nitrogen to preserve the transparency and conductivity of the FTO. Using this two-step synthesis, we fabricated a 1.72eV CuGa(S,Se) 2 photocathode with a saturation current density and photocurrent onset potential of 10mA/cm 2 and -0.20V vs. RHE, respectively. Yet we found that the PEC performance and sub-E G transmittance, worsened with increasing copper content. Using flatband potential measurements and the Gerischer model, we show that divergences in PEC performance of CuGa(S,Se) 2 photocathodes can be explained by differences in conduction band minimums and Fermi levels. We also explain that sub-E G transmittance is likely hampered by a defect band 100-400 meV below E C . Additional external quantum efficiency measurements of a high-efficiency 1.1 eV Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 photovoltaic driver, while shaded by the CuGa(S,Se) 2 photocathode, yielded a short-circuit current density of 4.14 mA/cm 2 revealing that CuGa(S,Se) 2 reflects promise as a top cell for PEC water splitting.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Photoelectrochemical Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia on Cupric and Cuprous Oxide Photocathodes
Photoelectrochemical N 2 reduction enables the production of NH 3 under ambient conditions using water as the hydrogen source. Furthermore, by utilizing solar energy, photoelectrochemical N 2 reduction can significantly reduce the energy input required for N 2 reduction. In this study, photoelectrochemical N 2 production was investigated using CuO and Cu 2 O photocathodes that are known to be poorly catalytic for water reduction, the major reaction competing with N 2 reduction. When tested under simulated solar illumination with isotopically labeled 15 N 2 in 0.1 M KOH solution, the CuO and Cu 2 O photocathodes produced 15 NH 3 with a Faradaic efficiency of 17% and 20% at 0.6 V and 0.4 V vs. RHE, respectively. These potentials are significantly more positive than the thermodynamic reduction potential of N 2 , which demonstrates how the use of photoexcited electrons in the CuO and Cu 2 O photocathodes can reduce the energy input required for NH 3 production. Here, the use of photoexcited electrons in these photocathodes for N 2 reduction, water reduction, and photocorrosion was carefully examined.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗