Experimental and theoretical studies of a high temperature cesium-barium tacitron, with application to low voltage-high current inversion. Final report, April 1, 1993--February 28, 1994
A low voltage/high current switch refer-red as ``Cs-Ba tacitron`` is studied for use as a dc to ac inverter in high temperature and/or ionizing radiation environments. The operational characteristics of the Cs-Ba tacitron as a switch were investigated experimentally in three modes: (a) breakdown mode, (b) I-V mode, and (c) current modulation mode. Operation parameters measured include switching frequencies up to 20 kHz, hold-off voltages up to 200 V, current densities in excess of 15 A/CM{sup 2}, switch power density of 1 kW/cm{sup 2}, and a switching efficiency in excess of 90 % at collector voltages greater than 30 V. Also, if the discharge current is circuit limited to a value below the maximum thermal emission current density, the voltage drop is constant and below 3 V.
- Research Organization:
- New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque, NM (United States). Inst. for Space Nuclear Power Studies
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-92ER75708
- OSTI ID:
- 10133068
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/75708-T2; UNM-ISNPS-1-1994; ON: DE94008182; BR: KV0200000; CNN: Grant F-29601-91-C-0031; TRN: 94:008465
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Feb 1994
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
SPACE POWER REACTORS
POWER CONDITIONING CIRCUITS
INVERTERS
CESIUM
BARIUM
PROGRESS REPORT
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
TESTING
CONFIGURATION
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
210600
POWER REACTORS, MOBILE, PROPULSION, PACKAGE, AND TRANSPORTABLE