Nanosecond Photoemission near the Potential Barrier of a Schottky Emitter

Nanosecond electron pulses are appealing for ultrafast imaging and electron-gating applications, where tunable currents and narrow energy spreads are desirable. Here, we demonstrate photoemission from a Schottky emitter triggered by nanosecond laser pulses. Using photon energies optimally tuned to the emission potential barrier, we generate pulses containing over 105 electrons with energy spreads below 1 eV by means of a prompt single-photon photoemission process. These results are consistent with a theoretical model of laser-triggered electron emission and energetic broadening during propagation and can be widely implemented.