RADC cathode life test program

This brief is an update of the RADC cathode life test program and includes details of evaluation procedures, progress, and future plans. A technique has been developed which permits repeatable temperature measurements on cathode test vehicles using a two-color pyrometer. The setup of the pyrometer for the cathode activity plot measurements is critical. The technique developed, when compared to the previously used measurement procedures, has several advantages: (1) an increase in the repeatability of the measurement data; (2) decreased instrumentation setup time; (3) adjustments eliminating any jarring or jolting of the instrumentation during setup positioning; and (4) different individuals can perform the measurements and obtain similar results.<
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