Experimental investigation of current modulation in a planar Cs-Ba tacitron
Journal Article
·
· IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science
- Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States). Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies
The Cs-Ba tacitron is being considered as a switch, or as an inverter consisting of two switches operating in a push-pull mode, for power conditioning of low voltage/high current dc power sources operating in high radiation/high temperature environment, beyond the limits of semiconductor switches. The paper presents new experimental results delineating the effect of the various operating parameters on the grid potential needed for ignition, V{sub g}{sup +}, and extinguishing, V{sub g}{sup {minus}}, during stable current modulation of a planar Cs-Ba tacitron. Parameters investigated are Cs pressure, emitter temperature, T{sub E}, discharge current, I{sub C}, and modulation frequency, f{sub g}. The value of V{sub g}{sup +}, which is independent of T{sub E}, decreases as Cs pressure increases, but increases as either I{sub C} or f{sub g} increases. Increasing the emitter temperature from 1,100--1,200 C only slightly decreases the forward voltage drop in the device by {approximately}0.2 V. The value of {vert_bar}V{sub g}{sup {minus}}{vert_bar} increases with Cs pressure, decreases with increased T{sub E}, and is sensitive to changes in f{sub g}. At I{sub C} = 5 A, the value of {vert_bar}V{sub g}{sup {minus}}{vert_bar} for stable modulation shows a maximum between 8 kHz and 10 kHz. The Cs pressure, I{sub C}, f{sub g}, and V{sub g}{sup +} all affect the ignition delay time; depending on the operating conditions, it increases from 5--30 {mu}s to an equilibrium value of 10--45 {mu}s during the first 2 ms in the pulse train.
- OSTI ID:
- 64590
- Journal Information:
- IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 23; ISSN ITPSBD; ISSN 0093-3813
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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