Electron emission from PZT and PLZT ferroelectric ceramics by external pulsed electric field

Electron emission from poled PZT and PLZT ferroelectric ceramics has been observed under the application of negatively driven voltage pulse. The flashover plasma has been also shown which is formed along the patterned electrode on the emitting surface. It is inferred that the source of the emission current is the plasma of uncompleted surface discharge which is initiated at the metal-vacuum-dielectric triple points by both the field electron emission and the polarization reverse emission. We present the measured data of the electron current and charge density emitted from PZT and PLZT ferroelectrics as a function of the applied pulse amplitude, the gas pressure, the A-K gap distance, and the acceleration voltage. We also discuss the influence of those key operating parameters.