Self-focusing, spatially stable, electron beams arising from heating up to 160 degrees C and cooling to room temperature pyroelectric LiNbO3 crystals in dilute gases have been observed for the first time. The current (up to nanoamperes) and energies (up to 170 keV) of these electron beams attained maximum values and then decreased during the cooling phase of the thermal cycle. Cylindrical crystals produced spatially stable beams with typical focal lengths of 22 mm and 1mm spot sizes. Here we present photographic as well as electronic proof of their existence.
@article{arxiv.physics/0107019,
title = {Self-Focused Electron Beams Produced by Pyroelecric Crystals on Heating or Cooling in Dilute Gases},
author = {J. D. Brownridge and S. M. Shafroth},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:physics/0107019},
year = {2009}
}