Lanthanum Hexaboride Cathode (LaB6 cathode) is an inorganic chemical. As a leading global supplier of advanced ceramics, Stanford Materials Corporation (SMC) provides consistently Lanthanum Hexaboride Cathode (LaB6 ceramic). We're capable of supplying custom materials per any specs/drawings you provide us with.
Lanthanum Hexaboride Cathode(LaB6 cathode, also called lanthanum boride cathode and LaB6 cathode) is an inorganic chemical. With a melting point of 2528 K, LaB6 cathode is a refractory ceramic material, which is insoluble in water or hydrochloric acid and very stable in a vacuum. LaB6 cathode Stoichiometric samples are colored intensely purple-violet, while boron-rich ones (above LaB6.07) are blue. Ion bombardment changes its color from purple to emerald green. LaB6 cathode is a superconductor with a relatively low transition temperature of 0.45 K.
The unique properties of lanthanum hexaboride crystals provide stable electron-emitting media with work functions near 2.70 eV. The low work function yields higher currents at lower cathode temperatures than tungsten, which means greater brightness, current at the beam focus, and longer life. Typically, LaB6 cathodes exhibit 10 times the brightness and 50 times the service life of tungsten cathodes. In electron microscope applications, these characteristics translate to more beam current in a smaller spot at the sample, improved resolution, and less frequent cathode replacement.
Specification of Lanthanum Hexaboride Cathode
Product
Lanthanum Hexaboride
Structure
Polycrystalline
Symbol
LaB6 cathode
Thermal Conductive
47 W/mK (20℃)
Cas No.
12008-21-8
Thermal Expansion
6.2 10-6K-1 (20-900℃)
Atomic Mass
203.78 g/mol
Electrical Resistance
ca.15 μΩ cm (20℃)
Density
4.72 g/cm3
Electrical Conductive
6.65x104 S/cm (20℃)
Melting Point
2528 K
Currency Density
150 A/cm2 (1950℃)
Hardness
87.5 RA
Electron Emissivity
2.6 eV
Flexure Strength (σ)
200 Mpa
Fracture toughness (Kic)
3.0 MN/m3/2
Chemical Composition
LaB6 (% min.)
99.9%
B(% min.)
31%
Rare Earth Impurities
Non-RE Impurities
Ce
<120ppm
Fe
<250ppm
Pr
<150ppm
Si
<100ppm
Nd
<180ppm
Ca
<90ppm
Sm
<112ppm
C
<300ppm
Y
<250ppm
Mg
<100ppm
Ti
<100ppm
Applications of Lanthanum Hexaboride Cathode
* Thermionic emission (cathode) * Plasma source for plasma-enhanced coating(PECVD) * Vacuum electron beam welding machine * Electron beam surface reforming device * Electron beam lithography device * Transmission electron microscope * Scanning electron microscope * Surface analysis device * Radiotherapy devices
Packing of Lanthanum Hexaboride Cathode
SMC’s LaB6 cathode is carefully handled to minimize damage during storage and transportation and to preserve the quality of our products in their original condition.