Ba/BaO evaporation measurement during accelerated life test

The Ba and BaO evaporation rates of a thermionic cathode have been measured at 145K and 170K above the typical operating temperature being about 1033K. According to the measurement result, the relationship between cathode lifetime and operation temperature has been discussed. A comparison life test also be done between a poisoned but reactivated cathode and a normal one under the same condition. We found almost the same emission current at the beginning but different current decrease speed and Ba evaporation rate at the course of the life test.