Cesium vapor thermionic converter anomalies arising from negative ion emission
Journal Article
·
· Journal of Applied Physics
Compelling experimental evidence is given that a longstanding limit encountered on cesium vapor thermionic energy converter performance improvement and other anomalies arise from thermionic emission of cesium negative ions. It is shown that the energy that characterizes thermionic emission of cesium negative ions is 1.38 eV and, understandably, is not the electron affinity 0.47 eV determined for the photodetachment threshold of the cesium negative ion. The experimental evidence includes measurements of collector work functions and volt-ampere characteristics in quasi-vacuum cesium vapor thermionic diodes, along with reinterpretation of the classic Taylor-Langmuir S-curve data on electron emission in cesium vapor. The quantitative effects of negative ion emission on performance in the ignited, unignited, and quasi-vacuum modes of cesium vapor thermionic converter operation are estimated.
- OSTI ID:
- 22597699
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 120; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Analysis of the arc mode operation of the cesium vapor thermionic energy converter
SECOND ANNUAL TECHNICAL SUMMARY REPORT FOR BASIC RESEARCH IN THERMIONIC ENERGY CONVERSION. Covering Period November 1, 1961 to October 31, 1962
THERMIONIC EMISSION FROM MOLYBDENUM IN VAPORS OF CESIUM AND CESIUM FLUORIDE
Journal Article
·
Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1962
· Proceedings of the IEEE
·
OSTI ID:4651333
SECOND ANNUAL TECHNICAL SUMMARY REPORT FOR BASIC RESEARCH IN THERMIONIC ENERGY CONVERSION. Covering Period November 1, 1961 to October 31, 1962
Technical Report
·
Wed Oct 31 23:00:00 EST 1962
·
OSTI ID:4745010
THERMIONIC EMISSION FROM MOLYBDENUM IN VAPORS OF CESIUM AND CESIUM FLUORIDE
Journal Article
·
Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1962
· Journal of Applied Physics (U.S.)
·
OSTI ID:4825060