LO-TEMP THERMIONIC PLASMA STUDY

Abstract

Measurements of electron temperature, electron concentration and space potential in the plasma region of low temperature thermionic converters were determined by means of a pulsed Langmuir probe technique. The spatial distributions of these parameters, in parallel plate geometry, were measured with the aid of movable probes within these operating converters. The experimental values are shown to be consistent with reasonable physical models. Spectroscopic measurements were made in both the visible and infrared regions and the validity and applicability of the results are discussed. Results obtained from converters, in which small amounts of oxygen were present in the discharge region, are explored. The effects of cesium and ''patch effects'' on the surface characteristics of impregnated tungsten emitters are discussed on the basis of a theoretical analysis and experimental results with numerous test cells.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 31, 1963
Accession Number
AD0403656

Entities

People

  • W. G. Stenzel

Organizations

  • Sperry Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Converters
  • Current Density
  • Electron Energy
  • Electrons
  • Emission
  • Emitters
  • Energy Levels
  • Exclusion Principle
  • Ionization
  • Ionization Potentials
  • Line Spectra
  • Low Temperature
  • Measurement
  • Scattering
  • Spectra
  • Spectral Lines
  • Thermionic Converters

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster