THERMIONIC EMITTER MATERIALS RESEARCH PROGRAM. Quarterly Report No. 1, July 1, 1961-September 30, 1961

Technical Report · Wed Oct 31 04:00:00 EST 1962

OSTI ID:4781794

Studies were made of refractory metals as emitter materials for thermionic converters. Two diodes were tested. One used a tantalum emitter and a molybdenum collector, the other used molybdenum for both. Current-voltage (I- V) characteristics were determined. Under certain conditions the I-V curves exhibited two branches. Each branch approached a constant current value as output voitage was reduced. This behavior led to the association of an apparent work function with each constant current value. A technique was developed for measuring the ion current in the experimental diode. Methods were also developed to determine electron cooling and heat conduction by cesium vapor. (M.C.G.)

• Research Organization: Thermo Electron Engineering Corp., Waltham, Mass.
• NSA Number: NSA-16-016709
• OSTI ID: 4781794
• Report Number(s): AD-267010; TEE-4015-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CESIUM
CONVERSION
COOLING
CURRENTS
DIAGRAMS
DIODES
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRON TUBES
EMISSION
IONS
KNIGHT SHIFT
MATERIALS TESTING
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
MOLYBDENUM
MOLYBDENUM ALLOYS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
NIOBIUM 93
NIOBIUM ALLOYS
QUANTITY RATIO
REFRACTORIES
SPECTRAL SHIFT
TANTALUM
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMIONICS
VAPORS