Ion trapping in the emitter sheath in thermionic converters

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.335581· OSTI ID:6410340

Lundgren, L

The effect of ion trapping in the emitter sheath in ignited thermionic converters is studied. The ion trapping prevents the emitter-sheath barrier from being higher than approximately 0.1 eV, when the current decreases in the converter. This gives a condition for the constriction of the arc. I-V curves are calculated for an ignited thermionic converter with a hydrodynamic plasma theory that takes into account the effect of Coulomb scattering and volume recombination, but assumes that the electron temperature is constant in the plasma.

• Research Organization: Department of Applied Electron Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
• OSTI ID: 6410340
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 58:11; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300401* -- Thermionic Converters-- Design & Development
BASIC INTERACTIONS
COLLISIONS
COULOMB SCATTERING
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELASTIC SCATTERING
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERACTIONS
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
INTERACTIONS
ION COLLISIONS
MECHANICS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA SHEATH
RECOMBINATION
SCATTERING
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
TRAPPING