Emitter surface temperature distribution for a miniature thermionic diode

Abstract

Brightness temperatures have been observed from five hohlraums equally spaced on a diameter of a 0.635 cm thermionic emitter surface. The hohlraums are 0.0381 cm in diameter and are 0.114 cm deep. The surface was mounted in a simulated diminiode geometry and was heated from the backside, according to the design, by electron bombardment. Several temperature observations were made at each hohlraum at four different levels of input power. Within experimental error no measurable temperature gradients across the emitter surface were observed at any input power level.