New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
thermionic — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ relating to the emission of electrons from substances heated to very high temperatures … English terms dictionary
thermionic — 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… … Useful english dictionary
thermionic — adjective concerning the emission of electrons from a heated electrode See Also: thermion, thermionic valve … Wiktionary
thermionic — /θɜmiˈɒnɪk/ (say thermee onik) adjective relating to thermionics or thermions: thermionic emission …
thermionic 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 … Universalium
thermionic current — n. a current resulting from directed thermionic emission, as the flow of emitted electrons from a heated cathode to the plate … English World dictionary
thermionic tube — n. an electron tube having a cathode electrically heated in order to cause electron or ion emission: Also [Brit., etc.] Brit. thermionic valve … English World dictionary
thermionic emission — n. the phenomenon of electron or ion emission from the heated surface of a conductor … English World dictionary
thermionic 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… … Useful english dictionary
Thermionic 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… … Wikipedia
Thermionic emission — Closeup of the filament on a low pressure mercury gas discharge lamp showing white thermionic emission mix coating on the central portion of the coil. Typically made of a mixture of barium, strontium and calcium oxides, the coating is sputtered… … Wikipedia
