Switch properties of thermionic diodes with cesium vapor

Technical Report · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1972

OSTI ID:4935812

Pachur, N; Kleinkauf, W; Rasch, W

Under certain conditions thermionic diodes show currentvoltage characteristics similar to those of thyristors. Therefore, it may be possible to use these diodes as switching elements in a DC-AC converter. Great advantages can be expected from using thermionic switching elements for thermionic reactor systems, specifically, weight savings in nuclear space power systems since the thermionic switching elements would not require shielding nor an additional cooling system. First studies with a cesium diode with cylindrical electrodes and a cesinm diode with plane electrodes have shown that such diodes are usable as high current switches. They have usable switch properties such as breakdown voltage UB approximately 3 V, forward voltage U/sub f/ approximately 0.5 V with forward current density J/sub EC/ approximately 8 A/cm/sup 2/ at diode parameters which are very different from those applied to energy generating diodes. A good emitter temperature is about T/sub E/ = 1000 deg C, the electrode distance is near d = 1 mm, and the cesium vapor pressure near P/sub R/= 0.1 Torr. Exact specifications of the favorable electrode materials or electrode geometry and of the dynamic behavior during switching can be made after more intensive investigations. (auth)

• Research Organization: DFVLR, Brunswick
• Sponsoring Organization: Sponsor not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-29-011969
• OSTI ID: 4935812
• Report Number(s): CONF-720613--P1
• Country of Publication: Germany
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CESIUM
ELECTRODES
MOLYBDENUM
N77800* --Reactors--Space
Mobile
Propulsion
Transportation & Package Reactors
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SPACE POWER REACTORS
SWITCHES
SWITCHING CIRCUITS
THERMIONIC REACTORS
THERMIONIC TUBES
TUNGSTEN