Transport Effects in the Electron-Rich Unignited Mode of Cesium Diodes

Warner, Charles Dudley; Hansen, L. K.

doi:10.1063/1.1709363

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 9 publications

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“…The direction of the anode sheath depends on the applied bias. Warner and Hansen (1967) [22] noted that if the anode vacuum potential is sufficiently low (compared to the cathode's), the anode sheath will be electronretaining (ion-accelerating). In this configuration the ion current at the anode is simply given by J i = 2J ri .…”

Section: Theoretical Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulations of Argon Plasma Decay in a Thermionic Converter

Groenewald,

Clark,

Kannan

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The dynamics of an argon plasma in the gap of a thermionic diode is investigated using particlein-cell (PIC) simulations. The time-averaged diode current, as a function of the relative electrical potential between the electrodes, is studied while the plasma density depletes due to recombination on the electrode surfaces. Simulations were performed in both 1D and 2D and significant differences were observed in the plasma decay between the two cases. Specifically, in 2D it was found that well defined plasma sheaths formed in front of both electrodes, while in 1D, the sheath heights varied continuously. This creates significant differences in the time-averaged diode current. In 2D simulations, it was found that the maximum time-averaged current is collected when the diode voltage is set to the flat-band condition, where the cathode and anode vacuum biases are equal. This suggests a novel technique of measuring the difference in work functions between the cathode and anode in a thermionic converter.

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Section: Theoretical Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulations of Argon Plasma Decay in a Thermionic Converter

Groenewald,

Clark,

Kannan

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The Plasma Physics of Thermionic Converters

Bullis¹,

Hansen²,

Warner³

et al. 1967

Journal of Applied Physics

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The plasma physics of thermionic converters is discussed in an attempt to develop a coherent physical picture of this aspect of the converter in all regions of operation. Emphasis is placed on the presentation of simple physical models consistent with experimental data: The usefulness of certain characteristic features of the I–V curve, in determining the physical processes governing converter operation, is pointed out. Nine regions of converter operation are identified by these features of the I–V curve and are discussed. The importance of two parameters of converter operation, the pressure—spacing product pd, and the relative amount of emitter-surface ion generation β, in controlling converter behavior is emphasized. The particular values of pd and β control which of the nine regions of converter operation appear on a particular I–V curve.

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Correlation between nonequilibrium thermodynamic theory and V-I curves of a thermionic converter

Robinson

Shimada

1976

Journal of Applied Physics

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The methods of irreversible thermodynamics have been used as a basis for developing a transport theory applicable to thermionic cesium diodes. This theory was applied in describing certain aspects of experimental voltage-current (V-I) characteristic curves of a thermionic diode. Emphasis, in obtaining the description, is placed on the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current of the V-I curves, obtained at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Experimental results show that the open-circuit voltage is essentially independent of the interelectrode spacing, whereas the short-circuit current varies inversely with the interelectrode separation. The inverse dependence is in agreement with the results of this present analysis and also with results expected from diffusion theory, which has been used in other analyses. In fact, the theory used in this present investigation reduces to diffusion theory under special assumptions. Deviations from diffusion theory, which were found in experimental results, can be accounted for using the theory developed in this paper.

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Transport Effects in the Electron-Rich Unignited Mode of Cesium Diodes

Cited by 4 publications

References 9 publications

Simulations of Argon Plasma Decay in a Thermionic Converter

Simulations of Argon Plasma Decay in a Thermionic Converter

The Plasma Physics of Thermionic Converters

Correlation between nonequilibrium thermodynamic theory and V-I curves of a thermionic converter

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