DC and high frequency voltage and power output and interaction in cesium, potassium, and sodium thermionic converters

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1963

OSTI ID:4032754

Richards, H. K.

A plasma diode with a Ta emitter and Mo collector and guardring was operated with Cs, K, and Na vapors. The emitter-collector-distance, vapor pressure, and emitter temperature were varied during the experiments. An inductance -capacitance network separated the d-c output from the high frequency r-f component and permitted study of interaction between d-c and r-f voltage, current and power output. The Cs and K cells performed quite similarly. The r-f frequencies were functions of the voltage applied at the collector against the grounded emitter and decreased with decreasing applied voltage. The ratio of the r-f to d-c power output started at an ion-rich plasma, increased with increasing electron density, reached a maximum and decreased again for a very electron-rich plasma. It appears that the ratio is somewhat higher for K than for Cs. Pulses of the r-f voltage exceeded frequentiy the ionization voltage of the alkaline vapor. The Na cell did not operate very well at pressures <10/sup -3/ mm Hg., as could be expected since its ionization voltage exceeds the work function of the Ta emitter and contact ionization should be <1% of Cs ionization. At higher pressures, power densities of several watts were measured. The voltage output at the knee of the characteristic was 0.3 to 0.4 volt < for Cs and K, due to the higher Na work function on the collector. (auth)

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• NSA Number: NSA-18-018617
• OSTI ID: 4032754
• Report Number(s): CONF-414--; CONF-458-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CAPACITORS
CESIUM
CONVERSION
CURRENTS
DENSITY
DIODES
DISTANCE
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRODES
ELECTRON TUBES
ELECTRONICS
ELECTRONS
EMISSION
FREQUENCY
INDUCTION
INTERACTIONS
IONIZATION
IONS
MEASURED VALUES
MOLYBDENUM
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
OPERATION
PHYSICS
PLASMA
POTASSIUM
POWER
PRESSURE
PULSES
RADIO WAVES
SODIUM
TEMPERATURE
THALLIUM
THERMIONICS
THERMODYNAMICS
VAPORS
WORK FUNCTIONS