Experiments with enhanced mode thermionic converters. [With auxiliary electrode]

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1978 · IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TPS.1978.4317090· OSTI ID:6397892

Oettinger, P E; Hussman, F N

Reduction of the ionization and scattering losses associated with ignited mode cesium diodes is essential for high thermal-to-electrical conversion efficiency. Use of an auxiliary electrode in conjuction with a noble gas in the interelectrode space should permit more efficient ion generation for space charge neutralization. The characteristics of a thermionic triode utilizing a ring electrode and a dispenser cathode emitter have been studied as a function of xenon pressure, cesium reservoir temperature, spacing, electrode temperature and pulse parameters (i.e., potential, duration, and repetition rate) applied to the auxiliary electrode. Pulsed operation significantly enhanced output power with uniform discharges appearing to be sustained at emitter--collector spacings as low as 0.5 mm.

• Research Organization: Thermo Electron Research and Development Center, Waltham, MA
• OSTI ID: 6397892
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States), Vol. PS-6:1, Issue 1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
PERFORMANCE
CESIUM
CONFIGURATION
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRODES
IONIZATION
PULSES
SCATTERING
SPACE CHARGE
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMIONIC COLLECTORS
THERMIONIC EMITTERS
XENON
ALKALI METALS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELEMENTS
METALS
NONMETALS
RARE GASES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
300402* - Thermionic Converters- Performance & Testing