Cesium plasma TELEC device for conversion of laser radiation to electric power

The first tests of the thermoelectronic laser energy converter (TELEC) concept are reported. This device has been devised as a means to convert high-average-power laser radiation into electrical energy, a crucial element in any space laser power transmission scheme using the available high power/efficiency infrared lasers. Theoretical calculations, based upon inverse bremsstrahlung absorption in a cesium plasma, indicate internal conversion efficiency up to 50% with an overall system efficiency of 42%. Experiments reported here were made with a test cell designed to confirm the theoretical model rather than demonstrate efficiency; 10.6-μm laser-beam absorption was limited to approx.10-3 of the incident beam by the short absorption region. Nevertheless, confirmatory results were obtained and the conversion of absorbed radiation to electric power is estimated to be near 10%