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Updated: Jun 9, 2026

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Compact lanthanum hexaboride hollow cathode.

Dan M Goebel1, Ronald M Watkins

  • 1Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91109, USA. dan.m.goebel@jpl.nasa.gov

The Review of Scientific Instruments
|September 7, 2010
PubMed
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A new compact lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) hollow cathode is designed for space and industrial use. This innovative design is small, durable, and operates efficiently with xenon gas.

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Plasma Physics
  • Space Engineering

Background:

  • Space applications and industrial research often require compact, reliable, and efficient electron sources.
  • Traditional hollow cathode designs can be bulky or difficult to implement in restricted environments.
  • Lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) is a well-established material for electron emitters due to its low work function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a compact and robust hollow cathode for space and industrial applications.
  • To overcome limitations of size, mass, and implementation access in existing cathode technologies.
  • To ensure long operational life and high discharge current capabilities.

Main Methods:

  • Designed a compact hollow cathode assembly using a refractory metal tube, mechanically captured plates, and graphite sleeves.

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  • Incorporated multiple heater designs for enhanced longevity.
  • Fabricated cathode assemblies with diameters under 2 cm and lengths of 6-15 cm.
  • Tested continuous operation in xenon at discharge currents ranging from 5-60 A.

    • Main Results:

    • Successfully developed a compact LaB6 hollow cathode assembly (less than 2 cm diameter).
    • The design eliminates the need for expensive e-beam welding through mechanical capture.
    • Cathodes operated continuously in xenon at 5-60 A, with larger versions reaching 100 A.
    • Graphite sleeves effectively protected the LaB6 insert from chemical reactions.

    Conclusions:

    • The developed compact LaB6 hollow cathode is suitable for space and industrial applications requiring small form factors.
    • The design offers a cost-effective manufacturing process and enhanced durability.
    • The cathode demonstrates reliable performance at significant discharge currents, proving its viability for demanding applications.