EXPLORATORY STATIC ENERGY CONVERSION - MULTILAYER THERMIONICS.
Abstract
A new static heat-to-electricity conversion principle has been studied and is described. The new principle involves an attempt to dupli cate the performance of a vacuum tube thermionic converter, in the solid state and at a lower temperature. The basic arrangement is a multiple thin film structure, consisting of alternate layers of semiconductors and metals, arranged perpendicular to the direction of heat flow. Transverse and longitudinal Seebeck voltage measurements have been made on mono- and multi layers of germanium films. Thermoelectric anisotropies and very pronounced. Temperature dependencies in the vicinity of room temperature were found to be relatively small. Theoretical considerations suggest that the basic mean free path limitations that apply to charge carriers in a given semiconductor or insulator control the conversion efficiency of solid state thermionics to the extent as they do in conventional thermo electrics. No basic superiority can be attribu ted to either process. The experimental program is not sufficiently well developed yet to verify any of the theoretical criteria. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0417546
Entities
People
- P. R. Emtage
- W. J. Van Der Grinten
Organizations
- General Electric