Cesium telluride (Cs2Te) photocathodes, with quantum efficiencies (QEs) of 15%–18% at 251 nm, were fabricated by vapor deposition of Te and Cs onto a Mo substrate and used as an electron source for the Los Alamos Advanced Free‐Electron Laser. In the fabrication chamber, the spectral response from 251 to 578 nm was measured before and after a controlled exposure of several photocathodes to air. The 251‐nm QE dropped by about a factor of 20 when exposed to 2×10−4Torr of air for 1 h. Heating degraded photocathodes to 150–200 °C partially rejuvenated their QEs to about 60% of the value before air exposure. The performance of Cs2Te as a source of electrons for accelerators was evaluated in the photoinjector stage of the Advanced Free‐Electron Laser. The response time, saturation level, and dark current of cesium telluride photocathodes and the emittance and energy spread of the resulting electron beam were determined to be sufficient for free electron laser applications. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.