Abstract: The electrode consists of a metal carrier (1) and a surface layer (3), which has been deposited on the carrier and has a thickness of 0.1 to 20 .mu.m and consists of a material which differs from the carrier material and distinguishes from the carrier material by having a smaller work function and lower thermal and electrical conductivities and is selected from the group tungsten, niobium, tantalum, rhenium and chromium. The carrier (1) consists of a deeply drawable material. There is preferably also an interlayer (2) made of a highly conductive metal.