An electron emitter assembly and a method for generating electron beams
are provided. The electron emitter assembly includes a light source
configured to emit light. The electron emitter assembly further includes
a photo-responsive device operably coupled to an electron emitter device.
The photo-responsive device induces the electron emitter device to emit
electrons in response to receiving the light. Finally, the electron
emitter assembly includes an anode receiving the emitted electrons from
the electron emitter device.