THE CESIUM VAPOR THERMIONIC CONVERTER. II. PATCH AND TRANSPORT EFFECTS

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1962 · Advan. Energy Conversion

OSTI ID:4720165

Rasor, N S; Hatsopoulos, G N; Kitrilakis, S

Analysis of the electrical characteristics of cesiumvapor diode thermionic converters indicates that nonuniform emission from polycrystalline emitters can account for many of the major observed features of the characteristic behavior. A single crystal emitter showed gross changes in its output characteristics when its surface was etched, suggesting the creation of patches. Using the work function distribution obtained from the electrical characteristics, a simple model for ion emission neutralization permits computation of the saturation currents of the ignited and extinguished modes. The computed values are in semiquantitative agreement with the experimental data reported. Consideration of the energy balance and ion generation requirements for sustaining volume ionization and energy losses in the ignited mode yields expressions for the internal potential drop across the cesium vapor and the electron temperature. Consideration of the simplest of the energy loss contributions shows the assumptions to be consistent with the experimental data reported. (auth)

• Research Organization: Thermo Electron Engineering Corp., Waltham, Mass.
• NSA Number: NSA-17-020623
• OSTI ID: 4720165
• Journal Information: Advan. Energy Conversion, Journal Name: Advan. Energy Conversion Vol. Vol: 2
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CESIUM
CONVERSION
CRYSTALS
CURRENTS
DIODES
DISTRIBUTION
ELECTRICITY
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ELECTRON TUBES
ELECTRONICS
ELECTRONS
EMISSION
ENERGY
IONIZATION
IONS
LOSSES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PHYSICS
SURFACES
TEMPERATURE
THERMIONICS
THERMODYNAMICS
TRANSPORT
VAPORS
VOLUME
WORK FUNCTIONS