THEORY OF THERMIONIC CONVERTER SURFACE PHENOMENA.
Abstract
A theoretical model is developed with the objective of describing thermionic converter surfaces in terms of measurable crystallographic and atomic parameters. Emphasis is placed on the development of models applicable to uniform surfaces. Appropriate uniform surface work function data is selected for comparison with a computational model. The theoretical model is used to select surface characterization parameters that are readily measured and that can be related to the thermionic properties of the surface through the model. Thermionic converter data and a thermionic converter model are selected to permit a study of the relationship between work function and converter performance. The utility of bare work function as an index of converter performance is studied. Thermionic converter performance is strongly influenced by the thermionic properties of both the collector and emitter. The differences in thermionic properties of various emitters and collectors is attributed to the atomic and geometrical properties of the adsorbate and outer few substrate layers. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0711352
Entities
People
- D. R. Wilkins
- R. J. Mccandless
Organizations
- General Electric