The function mechanism of carbonized layer at the surface of La_2O_3-Mo cathode prepared by ion implanting method has been discussed by using XPS, AES. The results show that the carbonized layer mainly acts as a reduction reagent to produce metallic lanthanum, moreover, it can store the active substances and carry them to the surface. On the basis of the research results, the carbonization technique has been changed. By using the new technique, the lifetime of La_2O_3-Mo cathode has been improved from 14 h ...