INFASCOPE – Integrated Field emission electron source analysis

The aim of our international project INFASCOPE is to investigate new experimental methods and measurement procedures for spatially and temporally resolved electron detection from field emission (FE) cathode arrays and FE-electron sources. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the emission characteristics of modern FE-cathodes it is necessary to understand how the individual emission sites on the cathode surface interact with each other or with the residual gas during operation in vacuum. Currently available methods do not provide sufficient observation possibilities. That's why we propose a new approach, that largely overcomes the disadvantages of the common indirect electron detection. Instead of observing the illuminating phosphor screens with digital cameras, we will use the CMOS image sensor directly to measure the current distribution of FE-arrays in situ. The most significant advantage of the method is the high dynamic range and adjustable exposure time.