Characterisation of Pb thin films prepared by the nanosecond pulsed laser deposition technique for photocathode application

Abstract Pb thin films were prepared by the nanosecond pulsed laser deposition technique on Si (100) and polycrystalline Nb substrates for photocathode application. As the photoemission performances of a cathode are strongly affected by its surface characteristics, the Pb films were grown at different substrate temperatures with the aim of modifying the morphology and structure of thin films. An evident morphological modification in the deposited films with the formation of spherical grains at higher temperatures has been observed. X-ray diffraction measurements showed that a preferred orientation of Pb (111) normal to the substrate was achieved at 30 C while the Pb (200) plane became strongly pronounced with the increase in the substrate temperature. Finally, a Pb thin film deposited on Nb substrate at 30 C and tested as the photocathode showed interesting results for the application of such a device in superconducting radio frequency guns.