Abstract: The invention relates to electronic engineering, in particular to producing autoemission cathodes which are used in the form of an electrode source for different-purpose electrovacuum devices. The use of different materials for producing cold cathodes is one of investigation directions with respect of the use of different materials, including a hydrocarbon material based on a linear-chaining sp1-carbon. Said hydrocarbon material can be embodied in the form of carbon fibres or carbon film based on a linear-chaining sp1-carbon, including films produced by applying a carbon-powder suspension to a substrate. Said substrate can be made of a flexible material. In addition, the cathode can be made of a carbon film obtainable by the deposition thereof from carbon plasma.