Lanthanum Hexaboride, also called LaB6 cathode, is an inorganic chemical of rare earth. With a melting point 2528 K, LaB6 cathode is a refractory ceramic material, which is insoluble in water or hydrochloric acid and very stable in a vacuum.
The unique properties of lanthanum hexaboride crystals provide stable electron-emitting media with work functions near 2.70 eV. The low work function yields higher currents at lower cathode temperatures than tungsten, which means greater brightness, or current at the beam focus, and longer LaB6 cathode life. Typically, LaB6 cathodes exhibit 10 times the brightness and 50 times the service life of tungsten cathodes. In electron microscope applications, these characteristics translate to more beam current in a smaller spot at the sample, improved resolution, and less frequent cathode replacement.
Product | Lanthanum Hexaboride | Structure | Polycrystalline |
Symbol | LaB6 cathode | Thermal Conductive | 47 W/mK (20℃) |
Cas No. | 12008-21-8 | Thermal Expansion | 6.2 10-6K-1 (20-900℃) |
Atomic Mass | 203.78 g/mol | Electrical Resistance | ca.15 μΩ cm (20℃) |
Density | 4.72 g/cm3 | Electrical Conductive | 6.65×104 S/cm (20℃) |
Melting Point | 2528 K | Current Density | 150 A/cm2 (1950℃) |
Hardness | 87.5 RA | Electron Emissivity | 2.6 eV |
Flexure Strength (σ) | 200 Mpa | Fracture toughness (Kic) | 3.0 MN/m3/2 |
LaB6 (% min.) |
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99.9% |
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B(% min.) |
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31% |
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Rare Earth Impurities |
Non-RE Impurities |
||
Ce |
< 120ppm |
Fe |
< 250ppm |
Pr |
< 150ppm |
Si |
< 100ppm |
Nd |
< 180ppm |
Ca |
< 90ppm |
Sm |
< 112ppm |
C |
< 300ppm |
Y |
< 250ppm |
Mg |
< 100ppm |
|
Ti |
< 100ppm |
- Thermionic emission (cathode)
- Plasma source for plasma enhanced coating(PECVD)
- Vacuum electron beam welding machine
- Electron beam surface reforming device
- Electron beam lithography device
- Transmission electron microscope
- Scanning electron microscope
- Surface analysis device
CeB6 | LaB6 | |
Brightness (A/cm2-sr) | 107 | 107 |
Short-term beam current stability % RMS | < 1 | < 1 |
Typical service life (hr) | 1,500+ | 1000+ |
Operating vacuum (torr) | 10-7 | 10-7 |
Work function (eV) | ~2.65 | ~2.70 |
Evaporation rate (g/cm2-sec) | 1.6 x 10-9 | 2.2 x 10-9 |
ACM’s Lanthanum Hexaboride Ceramic Part is carefully handled to minimize damage during storage and transportation and to preserve the quality of our products in their original condition.