Vacuum discharge from perovskite oxide electrodes

This paper presents results of the investigation of electrical discharge in vacuum from perovskite-like La/sub 0.7/Sr/sub 0.3/CoO/sub 3/ and YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 6.95/ electrodes. Data are given on the local chemical composition of cathode surfaces subjected to nanosecond high-current arc discharges and on the erosion of ceramic cathode materials. The results of measurements of the work function and of the emission capability of extended ceramic cathodes and of field emission characteristics of clean surfaces of perovskite-like oxides are presented. A comparative analysis has been carried out of the behavior of ceramic cathodes with results obtained from the discharge of metallic electrodes.