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Pyroelectric electron emission current measurements and spatial electron current distribution collections were investigated from -Z face polar surface of lithium niobate monodomain crystals.The electron emission was detected during cooling due to a field ionization effect. The gap distance variation between the crystal surface and the electron collector significantly influenced the emission behavior. For small gaps (<2 mm) the emission was controlled by intermittent runway ionizations (screening of charge species (electrons and +ions) from plasma breakdown). Whereas, for large gaps (>2 mm) the pyroelectric electron emission was supplied from a soft and maintained plasma medium formation.