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Abstract
The potential of the application of microwave power in the interelectrode gap of a thermionic energy converter as an auxiliary ionization source is investigated, it is found that microwave power shows promise as a source of energy in sustaining the thermionic plasma. Measurements of the current—voltage characteristic curves of the thermionic converter show considerable increases of current conduction upon the application of microwave power and dramatic decreases of the ignition voltage. The trend with increasing applied microwave power is investigated experimentally in the 2—4 GHz range and inferences are drawn on the possible enhancement effects of utilizing microwave power of higher frequencies.
Notes
† This work was supported by the National Science Foundation ami the Department of Energy