Thoriated tungsten cathode for electric light source
Pure tungsten has a high melting point, high temperature resistance, low vapor pressure, good mechanical properties, and low cost. However, pure tungsten has a high work function (4.5oV), a high starting voltage for the lamp, and is easily sputtered under high-energy ion bombardment, and has a short lifespan, so it is not suitable for cathode materials. In practice, it is found that tungsten doped with 0.5~1.5% ThO2, after appropriate heat treatment, has much greater electron emission at the same temperature than pure tungsten.