The Effect of Cesium Vapor on the Emission Characteristics of Uranium Carbide at Elevated Pressures

Author

Philip W. Kidd

Publication Date

3-26-1964

Abstract

The saturated emission current from uranium carbide in the presence of cesium vapor were measured for four different bath temperatures: 167˚C, 197˚C, 227˚C, and 250˚C (the cesium arrival rates μ_a, in atoms/cm², were 3x10¹⁸, 1x10¹⁹, 3x10¹⁹ and 6x10¹⁹). The measurements were made with a “plasma anode” type tube immersed in a constant temperature oil bath. The design of the tube is shown, and the electronic circuitry is given with an explanation of the method of measurement. The experimental data for “electron emission vs 1000/T” was plotted for the experimental μ_a’s and then used to make a plot of “log₁₀ μ_a vs 1000/T”. The plot of “log₁₀ μ_a vs 1000/T” was used to extrapolate the electron emission data to arrival rates that differed by a factor of ten. An example is given of a thermionic energy converter that uses uranium carbide as an emitter and of how the efficiency might be changed when some of the emitter material is evaporated onto an anode operating at 1000˚K.

Degree Name

Physics

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Physics & Astronomy

First Committee Member (Chair)

Illegible

Second Committee Member

Howard Carnes Bryant

Third Committee Member

R.L. Aamodt

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Recommended Citation

Kidd, Philip W.. "The Effect of Cesium Vapor on the Emission Characteristics of Uranium Carbide at Elevated Pressures." (1964). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/phyc_etds/285