Sc2O3-W　matrix　dispenser　cathodes　have　been　prepared　by　powder　metallurgy　method　and　tested　in　Pierce　electron　guns.　The　emission　current　density　can　reach　72　A/cm(2)　at　900　degrees　C　and　over　100　A/cm(2)　can　be　achieved　at　a　temperature　higher　than　950　degrees　C.　The　emission　improves　and　then　keeps　stable　with　time　throughout　the　life　testing　period　of　330　h　at　a　continuous　loading　of　88　A/cm(2)　pulsed　current　density　with　a　pulse　width　of　10　mu　s　and　duty　cycle　of　0.2%.　The　cathode　surface　is　covered　by　a　semiconductor　multilayer　composed　of　Ba,　Sc　and　O.　The　emission　behavior　of　the　cathode　can　be　explained　by　a　semiconductor　model.