In this work, the geometric and electromagnetic characteristics of electron beams generated by three photocathodes (PCs), two based on nanodiamond (ND) layers and one based on Cu (generally used as reference) were investigated. Specifically, the active layers of the ND-based PCs consisted of untreated and hydrogenated (H-ND) nanoparticles (250 nm in size) deposited by pulsed spray technique on p-doped silicon substrates as uniform coating. Photoemission measurements carried out by a KrF nanosecond excimer laser (λ= 248 nm) in a vacuum chamber at 10− 6 mbar and the emittance evaluation, performed by the pepper pot method, are reported and discussed. For the last, radio-chromic films (HD-810 Gafchromic) were used as sensible screen for electrons. The study of the emittance was performed by varying the laser spot onto the PC surface and the accelerating voltage (5, 10 and 15 kV). From …