Measurement of thermal emittance for a copper photocathode

Measurements of the thermal emittance of an electron beam produced by photoemission from the copper cathode of a high power RF cavity are presented. The RMS normalized emittance has been measured as a function of laser spot size, applied surface field, and polarization of the laser beam at normal incidence. Local field enhancement due to surface effects is found to increase the emittance substantially beyond that expected for a perfect planar surface.