Pyroelectric electron emission from -Z face polar surface of lithium niobate monodomain single crystal

Pyroelectric electron emission current measurements and spatial electron current distribution collections were investigated from -Z face polar surface of lithium niobate monodomain crystals. The electron emission was detected during cooling due to a field ionization effect. The gap distance variation between the crystal surface and the electron collector significantly influenced the emission behavior. For small gaps (< 2 mm) the emission was controlled by intermittent runway ionizations (screening of charge species (electrons and +ions) from plasma breakdown). Whereas, for large gaps (> 2 mm) the pyroelectric electron emission was supplied from a soft and maintained plasma medium formation.