Experimental results on the two-stage, Venetian Blind, direct energy converter

Some preliminary results obtained from experiments designed to test the feasibility of the Venetian Blind, direct energy-conversion concept are discussed. A two-stage unit was built and tested and found to have an overall efficiency of 65% for an energy spread of from 330 to 1000 eV. The calculated efficiency was 69% leaving a 4% discrepancy. This discrepancy seems to result from the slight transparency in the backward direction of the ribbons of the converter. (auth)