Dispenser Cathodes

Over the last 50 years, Spectra-Mat's technology for dispenser cathodes contributed to the latest advancements of the modern microwave, linear accelerators and x-rays tubes industry. Spectra-Mat duly controls all production processes from tungsten powder sieving till temperature test of the dispenser cathodes. Our Engineering Department supports the developments of new cathodes structures and shapes together with the possible addition to other components to dispenser cathodes inside the gun while our quality assurance procedures guarantee the full traceability of all the components.

  • Sizes: diameter from 0.010" (0.25 mm) to over 10.00" (254 mm)
  • Tungsten densities: from 50% to 84%
  • Standard impregnants: 532, 411, 311, 612
  • Scandate Mixes: 532X, 411X, 311X, 612X
  • Coatings available: OsRu, OsW, Ir
  • Machined Tolerance: +0.0002" (+0.005 mm)
  • Proven current density in CW mode: up to 20 A/cm2
  • Proven current density in pulsed mode: up to 120 A/cm2
  • Proven operating lifetime: over 150000 hours
  • Hollow cathodes, assembled guns and UHV potted > Coatings available: OsRu, OsW, Ir heaters available

Cathodes for TWTs:

small diameter, high performance dispenser cathodes are produced in relatively large volume.

Cathodes for Klystrons and Gyrotron:

Spectra-Mat has been the leading manufacturer for large diameter and high performance dispenser cathodes.

Cathodes for magnetron:

long hollow dispenser cathodes are available for magnetron use.

Cathodes for Ion Thrusters and TeraHz sources:

Cathodes for Ion Thrusters and TeraHz sources: dispenser cathodes are enabling new applications such as electric propulsion and of THz sources for telecom, scientific and industrial applications.

Cathodes for x-rays:

small diameter dispenser cathodes with tips of different geometries are enabling new x-rays application.

Cathodes for neutron generators:

Dispenser cathodes with particular shapes are available.

Cathodes for industrial application:

Dispenser cathodes are enabling new applications such as ebeam polymerization and sterilization.

Cathodes for linear accelerators:

Spectra-Mat supplied the largest diameter dispenser cathodes for linear accelerators for scientific and medical use.
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