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Analysis of the arc mode operation of the cesium vapor thermionic energy converter

Journal Article · · Proceedings of the IEEE
An analysis of the cesium vapor arc discharge is presented. It is assumed that the discharge operates in the ball-of-fire mode, that cumulative ionization via the two resonance excited states is the predominant ionization mechanism, and that trapping in the plasma of the resonance radiation results in a long effective lifetime of the excited states. A volt-ampere characteristic is derived for the cesium arc and the results are applied to the thermionic energy converter. Good qualitative agreement is obtained between theory and experiment.
Research Organization:
RCA Labs., Princeton, N.J.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-17-039778
OSTI ID:
4651333
Journal Information:
Proceedings of the IEEE, Journal Name: Proceedings of the IEEE Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 51; ISSN 0018-9219
Publisher:
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

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