thermionic
1thermionic — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ relating to the emission of electrons from substances heated to very high temperatures …
2thermionic — adj. of or relating to electrons emitted from a substance at very high temperature. Phrases and idioms: thermionic emission the emission of electrons from a heated source. thermionic valve (US tube) a device giving a flow of thermionic electrons… …
3thermionic — adjective concerning the emission of electrons from a heated electrode See Also: thermion, thermionic valve …
4thermionic — /θɜmiˈɒnɪk/ (say thermee onik) adjective relating to thermionics or thermions: thermionic emission …
5thermionic emission — n. the phenomenon of electron or ion emission from the heated surface of a conductor * * * ▪ physics discharge of electrons from heated materials, widely used as a source of electrons in conventional electron tubes (e.g., television picture …
6thermionic current — n. a current resulting from directed thermionic emission, as the flow of emitted electrons from a heated cathode to the plate …
7thermionic tube — n. an electron tube having a cathode electrically heated in order to cause electron or ion emission: Also [Brit., etc.] Brit. thermionic valve …
8thermionic emission — n. the phenomenon of electron or ion emission from the heated surface of a conductor …
9thermionic converter — thermionic converter, an electronic device that changes heat directly into electricity. It consists of two metallic electrodes held in a tube at different temperatures and separated by a gas at low pressure. When the electrons on the surface of… …
10Thermionic converter — A thermionic converter consists of a hot electrode which thermionically emits electrons over a potential energy barrier to a cooler electrode, producing a useful electric power output. Caesium vapor is used to optimize the electrode work… …
