A new line of thyratrons

THE WIDE ambient-temperature range, small size, and quick heating of gas-filled thyratrons are important characteristics that encourage their use in many industrial applications. Experience has shown, however, that available gas-filled thyratrons have suffered from gas cleanup and short tube life when used in circuits that apply a high inverse anode voltage immediately after current conduction. When these conditions obtain, cleanup is caused by ion bombardment of the anode so severe that ions penetrate the anode surface and permanently become trapped.