Large scale accelerator based light source facilities have been constructed around the Globe to meet the scientific, technological, and societal needs. Development of compact systems meeting safety regulations is a complementary task requiring stable, and reproducible charge sources with controllable parameters. Changing the temperature of Lithium Tantalate (LiTaO₃) single crystal at moderate vacuum conditions leads to generation of strong electric field. Because its spontaneous polarization is a function of temperature, heating or cooling a pyroelectric crystal in vacuum causes bound charge to be accumulated on faces normal to the polarization axis. The electrons ejected either from the crystal or from the target (depending on polarity) are accelerated and gain energy of up to a 100 keV.

Our research has demonstrated that the more reproducible temperature is, the more stable and predictable the particle generation.  Here we present studies of features of electron flux in pyroelectric accelerator depending on the pressure of residual gas, the distance between the crystal and the target. The correlation between monoenergetic electron production and avalanche discharge is discussed.