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LOW WORK FUNCTION CATHODE MATERIALS FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE ARC-JET AND ION THRUSTERS

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Missile Defense Agency
Contract: N/A
Agency Tracking Number: 15639
Amount: $40,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 1991
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
11180 Roselle Street Suite G
San Diego, CA 92121
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Norbert B Elsner
 Principal Investigator
 (619) 535-9343
Business Contact
Phone: () -
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

THE WORK FUNCTION IS THE ENERGY NEEDED TO REMOVE AN ELECTRON FROM A METAL SURFACE, SUCH AS IN THERMIONIC EMISSION. A LOWER WORK FUNCTION ALLOWS THE EMITTING SURFACE TO OPERATE AT A MUCH REDUCED TEMPERATURE FOR THE SAME CURRENT. LOW WORK FUNCTION SINGLE PHASE MATERIALS WITH REFRACTORY PROPERTIES ALLOW CATHODES TO OPERATE AT A LOWER TEMPERATURE AND SHOULD PERMIT LONGER LIFETIMES AT TEMPERATURES OF >1500C. THESE MATERIALS CAN BE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE ARC-JET ENGINES AND ION THRUSTERS. THEY MAY ALSO FIND USE IN NEW TYPES OF VACUUM TUBES WHICH WOULD BE MORE EFFICIENT AND COMPACT. APPLICATION OF THIS TECHNOLOGY WOULD REVOLUTIONIZE HIGH POWER AMPLIFIERS, POWER SUPPLIES, AND MICROWAVE TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGY.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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