A gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas, an anode disposed within the gas-tight housing, and a cathode disposed within the gas-tight housing, where the cathode includes a conduction surface. The gas switch also includes a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode, where the control grid is arranged to receive a bias voltage to establish a conducting plasma between the anode and the cathode. In addition, the gas switch includes a plurality of magnets selectively arranged to generate a magnetic field proximate the conduction surface that reduces the kinetic energy of charged particles striking the conduction surface and raises the conduction current density at the cathode surface to technically useful levels.

A gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas, an anode disposed within the gas-tight housing, and a cathode disposed within the gas-tight housing, where the cathode includes a conduction surface. The gas switch also includes a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode, where the control grid is arranged to receive a bias voltage to establish a conducting plasma between the anode and the cathode. In addition, the gas switch includes a plurality of magnets selectively arranged to generate a magnetic field proximate the conduction surface that reduces the kinetic energy of charged particles striking the conduction surface and raises the conduction current density at the cathode surface to technically useful levels.

A gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas, an anode disposed within the gas-tight housing, and a cathode disposed within the gas-tight housing, where the cathode includes a conduction surface. The gas switch also includes a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode, where the control grid is arranged to receive a bias voltage to establish a conducting plasma between the anode and the cathode. In addition, the gas switch includes a plurality of magnets selectively arranged to generate a magnetic field proximate the conduction surface that reduces the kinetic energy of charged particles striking the conduction surface and raises the conduction current density at the cathode surface to technically useful levels.

A high voltage gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas at a preselected gas pressure. The gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas at a gas pressure selected based upon a Paschen curve for the ionizable gas, where the Paschen curve plots breakdown voltages of the ionizable gas as a function of gas pressure multiplied by grid-to-anode distance, and where values of gas pressure multiplied by grid-to-anode distance increase over at least a portion of the Paschen curve in conjunction with increasing breakdown voltages. The gas switch also includes an anode disposed within the gas-tight housing, a cathode disposed within the gas-tight housing, and a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode, where the control grid is spaced apart from the anode by a grid-to-anode distance selected based upon a desired operating voltage.

Various disclosed embodiments include thermionic energy converters and electronic circuitry for generating pulses for igniting plasma in a hermetic package of a thermionic energy converter. In various embodiments, an illustrative thermionic energy converter includes a hermetic package charged with a non-cesium gas additive. The hermetic package is configured to route into the hermetic package pulses for igniting plasma in the hermetic package. A cesium reservoir is disposed in the hermetic package. A cathode is disposed in the hermetic package and an anode is disposed in the hermetic package.

An ion source has an arc chamber having an arc chamber body. An electrode extends into an interior region of the arc chamber body, and a cathode shield has a body that is cylindrical having an axial hole. The axial hole is configured to pass the electrode therethrough. First and second ends of the body have respective first and second gas conductance limiters. The first gas conductance limiter extends from an outer diameter of the body and has a U-shaped lip. The second gas conductance limiter has a recess for a seal to protect the seal from corrosive gases and maintain an integrity of the seal. A gas source introduces a gas to the arc chamber body. A liner has an opening configured to pass the cathode shield therethrough, where the liner has a recess. A gap is defined between the U-shaped lip and the liner, wherein the U-shaped lip reduces a conductance of gas into the gap and the recess further reduces conductance of gas into the region.

An ion source has an arc chamber having an arc chamber body. An electrode extends into an interior region of the arc chamber body, and a cathode shield has a body that is cylindrical having an axial hole. The axial hole is configured to pass the electrode therethrough. First and second ends of the body have respective first and second gas conductance limiters. The first gas conductance limiter extends from an outer diameter of the body and has a U-shaped lip. The second gas conductance limiter has a recess for a seal to protect the seal from corrosive gases and maintain an integrity of the seal. A gas source introduces a gas to the arc chamber body. A liner has an opening configured to pass the cathode shield therethrough, where the liner has a recess. A gap is defined between the U-shaped lip and the liner, wherein the U-shaped lip reduces a conductance of gas into the gap and the recess further reduces conductance of gas into the region.

A system for generating infrared light includes a sealed housing and a noble gas filling the housing. A window disposed in a wall of the housing is transparent to infrared radiation. Two electrodes, disposed in the housing, are aligned along a common longitudinal axis adapted to be approximately perpendicular to a local force of gravity. A gap is defined between the electrodes along the longitudinal axis. Obstruction(s), disposed in the housing adjacent to the gap between the electrodes, extend along the length of the gap. The obstruction(s) define a convection space between the electrodes. The convection space has a dimension, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, in the range of 2 to 10 times the length of the gap. An electric current source is coupled to the electrodes.

An ion source has an arc chamber having an arc chamber body. An electrode extends into an interior region of the arc chamber body, and a cathode shield has a body that is cylindrical having an axial hole. The axial hole is configured to pass the electrode therethrough. First and second ends of the body have respective first and second gas conductance limiters. The first gas conductance limiter extends from an outer diameter of the body and has a U-shaped lip. The second gas conductance limiter has a recess for a seal to protect the seal from corrosive gases and maintain an integrity of the seal. A gas source introduces a gas to the arc chamber body. A liner has an opening configured to pass the cathode shield therethrough, where the liner has a recess. A gap is defined between the U-shaped lip and the liner, wherein the U-shaped lip reduces a conductance of gas into the gap and the recess further reduces conductance of gas into the region.

An ion source has an arc chamber having an arc chamber body. An electrode extends into an interior region of the arc chamber body, and a cathode shield has a body that is cylindrical having an axial hole. The axial hole is configured to pass the electrode therethrough. First and second ends of the body have respective first and second gas conductance limiters. The first gas conductance limiter extends from an outer diameter of the body and has a U-shaped lip. The second gas conductance limiter has a recess for a seal to protect the seal from corrosive gases and maintain an integrity of the seal. A gas source introduces a gas to the arc chamber body. A liner has an opening configured to pass the cathode shield therethrough, where the liner has a recess. A gap is defined between the U-shaped lip and the liner, wherein the U-shaped lip reduces a conductance of gas into the gap and the recess further reduces conductance of gas into the region.