Advances in the techniques and applications of very-high-power grid-controlled tubes

The technology described in the paper is the culmination of more than a decade of research and development in the field of very-high-power triodes and tetrodes. Four types of unitary electron-control systems are discussed: beam triode, shielded triode, u.h.f. triode, and u.h.f. tetrode. The double-ended-tube circuit design considerations are explained. Features and techniques of tube design are illustrated in connection with a description of seven types of tube: two v.h.f. shielded-grid triodes, two u.h.f. triodes, and three u.h.f. tetrodes. Certain of the tube types operate at frequencies up to at least 900 Mc/s. The largest of these tubes is intended to deliver 500 kW of continuous (c.w.) power and 10MW of pulse power at a maximum frequency of 500 Mc/s. These tubes can be used in television broadcasting, communication (including single-sideband), particle accelerators, industrial heating, radar, hard-tube pulse modulators, and special electronic control circuits. High-speed electronic circuits have been developed to protect tubes against fault damage in very-high-power applications.