A work function value of 2.36eV, and a Richardson constant of 120A/cm2K2, were measured for a hot-pressed porous rod cathode. It was shown that the work function was highly susceptible to poisoning by molybdenum deposited at high temperatures during experiment. A stable work function of about 2.7eV was then measured. After removal of the molybdenum by an atomic iodine flux, the work function of clean LaB6 was restored.

Work Function of Sintered Lanthanum Hexaboride. Pelletier, J., Pomot, C.: Applied Physics Letters, 1979, 34[4], 249-51