Fabrication and measurement of efficient, robust cesiated dispenser photocathodes

Photocathodes for high power free electron lasers face significant engineering and physics challenges in the quest for efficient, robust, long-lived, prompt laser- switched operation. The most efficient semiconductor photocathodes, notably those responsive to visible wavelengths, suffer from poor lifetime due to surface layer degradation, contamination, and desorption. Using a novel dispenser photocathode design, rejuvenation of cesiated surface layers in situ is investigated for semiconductor coatings building on previous results for cesiated metals. Cesium from a sub-surface reservoir diffuses to the surface through a microscopically porous, sintered tungsten matrix to repair the degraded surface layer. The goal of this research is to engineer and demonstrate efficient, robust, long-lived regenerable photocathodes in support of predictive photocathode modeling efforts and suitable for photoinjection applications.