We report the quantum efficiency of various metals irradiated by 266‐nm, 4.66‐eV laser pulses of 10‐ps duration. The highest quantum efficiency obtained is 7.25×10−4with samarium photocathodes. Current densities exceeding 66 and 21 kA/cm2have been obtained from an area of 0.05 and 7 mm2, respectively. The maximum currents and current densities obtainable in these experiments are limited by the space charge. For surface fields exceeding 5×107V/m on gold, the efficiency increases linearly with the field for the values investigated. Based on the quantum efficiency and optical damage threshold measurements, current densities exceeding 100 kA/cm2seem feasible without damaging the photocathode.