Comparison of Secondary Electron Emission Due to Positron, Electron, and Positive Ion Bombardment

Abstract

The relative secondary electron yield under positron, electron, and positive ion (alkali ions: Na+ or K+) bombardment is determined for the cone of a spiraltron detector (Bendix Model 4219X). The method is based on the proportionality of yield to the mean of the pulse height distribution for the bombarding particle of a given energy. The ratio of the yields under electron and positron bombardments is found to be 1.2 to 1.0 for the semiconducting lead glass of the cone of the spiraltron through the energy range of 0.1 to 1.0 keV. Cherry found this ratio to be 3.0 ± 0.3 at 0.94 keV. The positive ion yield is ≈ 1.5 (absolute) throughout this energy range.