INVESTIGATION OF CAPILLARY EMITTER THERMIONIC CONVERTERS

Abstract

A random current theoretical model is formulated to describe the emission of ions and electrons from a capillary thermionic emitter. Extensive experimental results from monocapillary and multicapillary devices are shown to be in good agreement with the theory. Practical power densities of 5 to 15 watts/square cm were obtained between 1900 and 2100 degrees K. A modified capillary emitter in which no cesium flow is required was also investigated and found to agree with the random current model. Ion current measurements, high frequency oscillations, and spectroscopic data are used to interpret the operating conditions of the capillary emitter. Technology developments are reported on the subjects of emitter fabrication and chemical vapor deposition.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1963
Accession Number
AD0419140

Entities

People

  • D. L. Dresser
  • H. Huber
  • J. D. Dunlop
  • R. Lebihan
  • V. L. Hill

Organizations

  • General Motors

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Charged Particles
  • Chemical Vapor Deposition
  • Current Density
  • Diffraction
  • Electron Beams
  • Electron Density
  • Electron Emission
  • Electrons
  • Emitters
  • Fabrication
  • Geometry
  • Heat Energy
  • Ionization
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Refractory Metals

Readers

  • Electronics Engineering
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics