The emission and surface characteristics of the dispenser cathode coated with Os-W alloy and that coated with Os-W/Re are studied and compared. The dispenser cathode coated with Os-W/Re has been applied in electron gun measurement system for making measurement of higher emission current and life test. We called the cathode coated with Os-W/Re as the cathode with dual-layer. It is found that the dispenser cathode coated with dual-layer has higher current density than that coated only with Os-W alloy. After being activated, the cathode coated with dual-layer presents ternary composition on the surface of it. The W surface composition does not rise with time comparing with that of the cathode coated with Os-W alloy. In electron gun, the dispenser cathode coated with dual-layer has pulse current density of 30 A/cm(2) and life of more than 800 h. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.