Effect of high-field relative permittivity on the electron emission field of PNZST cathode induced by nanosecond pulsed electric field

Electron emission from antiferroelectric Pb0.99[(Zr0.90Sn0.10)0.96Ti0.04]0.98Nb0.02O3 ceramics, which can maintain a metastable ferroelectric state subject to a high electric field, was systematically investigated. In line with previous conclusions, the primary electrons emitted from the triple junction can induce the surface plasma so as to result in large emission current. Thus, the electric field of the triple-junction region is significant for electron emission. For the first time, we report that the electric field of this special region is determined by the high-field relative permittivity, rather than the small-signal relative permittivity. Finally, it was confirmed that the initial emission field, the emission threshold field, and the stable emission field all decrease as the high-field relative permittivity increases.