Two types of transmission-mode GaAs photocathodes grown by molecular beam epitaxy are compared in terms of activation process and spectral response,one has a gradient-doping structure and the other has a uniform-doping structure.The experimental results show that the gradient-doping photocathode can obtain a higher photoemission capability than the uniform-doping one.As a result of the downward graded band-bending structure,the cathode performance parameters,such as the electron average diffusion length and the surface electron escape probability obtained by fitting quantum yield curves,are greater for the gradient-doping photocathode.The electron diffusion length is within a range of from 2.0 to 5.4μm for doping concentration varying from 10to 10cmand the electron average diffusion length of the gradient-doping photocathode achieves 3.2μm.