Patternable On-Chip Waveguide Integrated CS3Sb Photocathodes

Integrated photonics, as an effective electron emitter, has the potential to pave the way for the next generation of photocathodes for accelerator applications. Here, we have demonstrated the feasibility of controlling light using waveguides and efficient material with a thin (<50 nm) film of photoemissive cesium antimonide. This integrated photonics cathode allows electron emission from specific sub-micron locations and precise temporal modulation. The approach results in the development of innovative photoemission mechanisms, i) enabling the unique shaping of emitted electrons and ii) beating patterns brought up from interference between two modes. This demonstrates the feasibility of integrating photonics into photocathodes, laying the foundation for converging photonics, nanofabrication, and photocathodes to create high-brightness electron sources for various accelerator applications.