Mixed Electron Emission from Doped Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ Ceramics: Microstructural Aspects

A mixed type electron emission, i.e., simultaneous ferroelectric and plasma emission, was observed with a negative driving pulse applied to doped Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 ceramics in the absence of any external potential on the electron collector. During these emission studies, significant microstructural changes on the emission surface were observed, and corresponded to the different emission modes. Erosion craters at the edge of the electrode and small particles near these craters reflected the formation of a dense plasma there. Comparatively, cavities, i.e., grain pullouts, accumulated on the bare ferroelectric surface, the frequency of which depended upon its distance from the grid. This phenomenon is proposed to be a result of fringing fields and the associated strain energy due to 90° domain switching, which could be seen as an evidence that ferroelectric emission occurred in these areas