EXPERIMENTAL MEASUREMENT AND INTERPRETATION OF VOLT-AMPERE CURVES

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1962 · Advan. Energy Conversion

OSTI ID:4695408

Gingrich, J E; Warner, C; Weeks, C C

Cylindrical and parallel-plane cesium vapor thermionic converters were used for obtaining volt-ampere curves for systematic variations of emitter, collector, and cesium reservoir temperatures, with electrode spacings ranging from a few to many mean free paths, and with space charge conditions varying from electron-rich to ion-rich. The resulting curves exhibit much variety. The saturation currents agree well with the data of Houston and Aamodt for the space charge neutralized, few-mean-free-path cases. Apparent'' saturation currents for space charge limited cases were observed and were always less than the currents predicted by Houston and Aamodt. Several discontinuities in slope were observed in the reverse current portion of the curves and these have tentatively been identified with volume ionization of atoms in both the ground and excited states. Similar processes may be important for obtaining the ignited mode. The methods used to measure static and dynamic volt-ampere curves are described. The use of a controlled-current load has yielded a negative resistance'' region in the curves which show the ignited mode. The curves obtained with poor current control do not show this phenomenon. Extinction is considered from the standpoint of Kaufmann' s criterion for stability. (auth)

• Research Organization: Atomics International, Canoga Park, Calif.
• NSA Number: NSA-17-020605
• OSTI ID: 4695408
• Journal Information: Advan. Energy Conversion, Vol. Vol: 2; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

PHYSICS
ATOMS
CESIUM
CONVERSION
CURRENTS
CYLINDERS
DIFFUSION LENGTH
ELECTRIC CHARGES
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRODES
ELECTRONS
EMISSION
ENERGY LEVELS
EXCITATION
IONIZATION
IONS
MEASURED VALUES
REACTOR FUELING
RESISTORS
SPACE CHARGE
STABILITY
TEMPERATURE
THERMIONICS
VAPORS
VARIATIONS
VOLUME
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems