The Thermionic Current between Parallel Plane Electrodes; Velocities of Emission Distributed According to Maxwell's Law

Thermonic Current between Parallel Plane Electrodes.---The electrical equations applying to this problem are developed without neglecting the distribution of initial velocities, which in the first place is allowed to be entirely general. Maxwell's distribution of velocities is then considered in detail and a complete solution obtained.Curves from which to compute the space current when Maxwell's distribution applies are presented, together with an illustrative example of their use. Curves are also included showing the deviation of the current-voltage relation from the 3/2-power law; the variation of the minimum potential between the electrodes with plate voltage, and also the variation with plate voltage of the distance between the cathode and the point at which this minimum potential occurs.