INVESTIGATION OF THE MONOCAPILLARY THERMIONIC EMITTER AS A DUAL SOURCE OF IONS AND ELECTRONS

Abstract

Experimental data is reported on a multicapillary converter, Converter G, which was operated for over 300 hours. Data included (1) current- voltage characteristics for the temperature range from 1800 to 2100 K, (2) high frequency oscillations, (3) ion current measurements, and (4) spectroscopic data. The data in the temperature range from 1800 to 2100 K agree with the random current model of the capillary emitter; at 2000 and 2100 K the data indicate several competitive advantages over conventional converters, including wider electrode spacings, higher converter voltage, and lower cesium bath temperature. The high frequency oscillation data show that the peak current voltage points form an arc mode characteristic. The ion currents at high collector temperature appear to be due to cesium atoms evaporating from the collector and impinging on the emitter surface. Spectrographic data indicate elevated electron temperatures in the arc mode. When high frequency oscillations are present in the passive mode, the line intensities of lower energy exceed states are increased.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1963
Accession Number
AD0408972

Entities

People

  • D. L. Dresser
  • J. D. Dunlop
  • R. T. Schneider

Organizations

  • General Motors

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Converters
  • Current Density
  • Diagrams
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Equations
  • Experimental Data
  • Frequency
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Line Spectra
  • Mean Free Path
  • Measurement
  • Photoelectric Emission
  • Plasma Oscillation
  • Radiation
  • Spectra

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster