MOLECULAR IONIZATION IN CESIUM.
Abstract
The objective of the study was to identify the cesium ionization mechanism in an environment which impedes contact ionization, thermionic emission and single-stage ionization. A cesiated ceramic tube, in the form of a long cylinder, was heated by a carbon furnace surrounding the central portion of the tube. The ceramic temperature (1023 - 1773K) and cesium pressures (0.02 to 25.0 torr), used in this experiment, were chosen to coincide with thermionic converters operating in the low voltage arc mode. Current was observed when voltage was applied along the tube axis. The current, corrected for wall leakage, agreed with a model based on molecular cesium ionization produced by a two-body collision. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0708870
Entities
People
- Stephen Levy
Organizations
- United States Army Communications-Electronics Command