Characteristics of a Plasma Thermocouple

The operation of a cesium plasma thermocouple is described for a range of hot-junction temperatures from 1600°K to 2600°K and for a range of cesium pressures from 10−5 mm Hg to 2 mm Hg. Electromotive force and short-circuit current data are presented for cells containing three different emitter subs...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 1959-12, Vol.30 (12), p.1861-1865
Main Authors: Pidd, R. W., Grover, G. M., Salmi, E. W., Roehling, D. J., Erickson, G. F.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The operation of a cesium plasma thermocouple is described for a range of hot-junction temperatures from 1600°K to 2600°K and for a range of cesium pressures from 10−5 mm Hg to 2 mm Hg. Electromotive force and short-circuit current data are presented for cells containing three different emitter substances: Ta, ZrC, and (ZrC) (UC). In the range of pressure and temperature variation studied, the observed electromotive forces are between 1 and 4.5 volts. Short-circuit current depends markedly on the current emission properties of the hot electrode. The largest short-circuit current density observed for the (ZrC) (UC) emitter, is 62 amperes per square centimeter.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.1735081