First simultaneous observation of electron emission from and switching current transient in PZT ferroelectric ceramics

Abstract

Fast ferroelectric switching in PZT has been investigated simultaneously with the characteristic pulsed electron emission. The visible correlation in time directly suggests that the change of polarization inside the ceramic material causes the emission effect. It is shown that the amount of emitted charge is related to the degree of switching while changing the polarization starting from different points at the hysteresis loop. Resetting by an opposite-oriented electrical field between the single emission processes increases the electron beam current, improves the stability and is of practical advantage.

Key Words:

• electron emission
• fast ferroelectric switching
• switching current
• PZT