In depth Surface Studies on Mg Photocathodes for higher Quantum Efficiency

Metal cathodes are commonly used in
RF Guns because they work robustly and tolerate a poor vacuum. The main prerequisite for a high QE is surface cleanness (atomically clean surface). At ELBE, a successfully established process to clean Mg surfaces is laser cleaning, although this laser cleaning improves the QE, it causes a non uniform surface and potential surface damage. Generally, an alternative process producing an atomically clean, smooth, and damage-free surface is
desired.