The adsorption of cesium on lanthanum hexaboride surfacesThe adsorption/desorption characteristics of cesium on clean and oxygen-covered LaB6 (100) surfaces were studied using various surface analysis techniques. On the initially clean surface (phi = 2.77 eV), adsorption produces a minimum work function of 1.96 eV and a saturation work function of 2.07 eV. For the oxygen-saturated surface, the cesium adsorption curve shows no minimum, the lowest work function (1.35 eV) occurring at cesium saturation. The utility of LaB6 (100) as an emitter or collector in thermionic converter applications (particularly for space nuclear electric propulsion) is evaluated.
Document ID
19800064339
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Davis, P. R. (Oregon Graduate Center for Study and Research Beaverton, OR, United States)
Swanson, L. W. (Oregon Graduate Center Beaverton, Ore., United States)
Chambers, S. A. (Oregon Graduate Center Beaverton; George Fox College, Newberg, Ore., United States)