A scaled direct energy conversion device was built to convert kinetic energy of
singly ionized helium ions into an electric potential by the process of direct conversion.
The experiments in this paper aimed to achieve higher potentials and higher efficiencies
than ever before. The predicted maximum potential that could be produced by the 150 kV
accelerator at the Texas A&M Ion Beam Lab was 150 kV, which was achieved with 92%
collection efficiency. Also, an investigation into factors affecting collection efficiency
was made. It was concluded that charge was being lost due to charge exchange occurring
near the surface of the target which caused positive target atoms to be ejected from the
face and accelerated away. Introducing a wire mesh near the face of the target with an
electric potential, positive or negative, which aimed to control secondary ion emissions,
did not have an effect on the collection efficiency of the system. Also, it was found that
the gas pressure inside the chamber did not have an effect on the collection efficiency.
The goal of achieving higher electric potentials and higher efficiencies than previous
direct conversion work was met.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:tamu.edu/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/3790 |
| Date | 16 August 2006 |
| Creators | Carter, Jesse James |
| Contributors | Hart, Ron R. |
| Publisher | Texas A&M University |
| Source Sets | Texas A and M University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Book, Thesis, Electronic Thesis, text |
| Format | 314130 bytes, electronic, application/pdf, born digital |
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