We can test and measure individual cathodes in Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) conditions.  This allows us to carefully control the environment of the cathode. We can carry out life testing with different cathode loads applied.  The cathodes are mounted in a diode configuration.

We can apply different tests including:

• Standard Testing (at cathode temperature of 820°C)
• Accelerated Testing (at cathode temperature of 930°C)
• Poisoning Resistance (exposure of cathode to chemically poisonous gas at early stage in life)

Key Measurements of Cathode Performance include:

• I-V curve
• Pulsed DC Emission
• DC Emission
• Saturated emission current (Isat)
• Work function
• Conductivity