SNAP PROGRAMS. THERMIONIC ISOTOPIC POWER SYSTEMS. Quarterly Progress Report No. 6, January 1 through March 31, 1961

Technical Report · Tue Oct 31 00:00:00 EST 1961

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4073450· OSTI ID:4073450

Progress in thermionic technology necessary for the development of power supplies utilizing radioisotopes as heat sources is reviewed. An investigation was made of the characteristics of cesium-filled thermionic converters operating in the low temperature region. Parametric studies were made of the cesium diode with a tantalum emitter and no back emission and operational characteristics were determined in the collision-free region. Work was continued on the vacuum diode generator, with emphasis on the development of Generator 2B. Several significant design changes were made. The sapphire spacer rods were replaced by a peripheral ring support to provide the desired inter-electrode spacing. Preliminary tests indicated that the use of an oxidized molybdenum collector may be sn effective way of attaining and maintaining a collector work function less than 1.9 volts. Studies were began to design an encapsulated Cm/sup 2//sup 4//sup 2/ heat source suitable for fueling the vacuum diode generator. Materials selected to be evaluated for the fuel container were molybdenum, tungsten, and tantalum alloys. (M.C.G.)

• Research Organization: Martin Co. Nuclear Div., Baltimore
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AT(30-3)-217
• NSA Number: NSA-15-021723
• OSTI ID: 4073450
• Report Number(s): MND-P-3014-II
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-61
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
CESIUM
CONFIGURATION
CURIUM 242
DIODES
ELECTRODES
ELECTRON TUBES
GENERATORS
HEATING
LOW TEMPERATURE
MOLYBDENUM
PARTICLE SOURCES
POWER PLANTS
RADIOISOTOPES
SEMICONDUCTORS
SNAP SYSTEMS
TANTALUM
TANTALUM ALLOYS
THERMIONICS
TUNGSTEN
USES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems