US2217448A - Cathode - Google Patents
Cathode Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US2217448A US2217448A US196924A US19692438A US2217448A US 2217448 A US2217448 A US 2217448A US 196924 A US196924 A US 196924A US 19692438 A US19692438 A US 19692438A US 2217448 A US2217448 A US 2217448A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cathode
- points
- gas
- pointed
- discharge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J9/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture, installation, removal, maintenance of electric discharge tubes, discharge lamps, or parts thereof; Recovery of material from discharge tubes or lamps
- H01J9/02—Manufacture of electrodes or electrode systems
- H01J9/022—Manufacture of electrodes or electrode systems of cold cathodes
- H01J9/025—Manufacture of electrodes or electrode systems of cold cathodes of field emission cathodes
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J17/00—Gas-filled discharge tubes with solid cathode
- H01J17/02—Details
- H01J17/04—Electrodes; Screens
- H01J17/06—Cathodes
- H01J17/066—Cold cathodes
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J2893/00—Discharge tubes and lamps
- H01J2893/0064—Tubes with cold main electrodes (including cold cathodes)
- H01J2893/0065—Electrode systems
- H01J2893/0066—Construction, material, support, protection and temperature regulation of electrodes; Electrode cups
Definitions
- the invention relates to cathodes and particularly pointed cathodes for high vacuum tubes.
- An object of the invention is to provide a cathode whereby the value of the necessary anode potential to create a discharge is decreased.
- the invention concerns the utilization of a cold cathode and especially a pointed cathode since in such a case, by reason of the inhomogeneity of the electric field, a discharge is possible at low potentials, and also without an external source of energy providing a heating current for the cathode.
- the invention also includes a cathode, preferably constructed as a point, being sub-divided by means of cathode disintegration in an electric discharge into a large number of individual sub-microscopic fine points. A great decrease in the necessary operating potential is possible by this multiple sub-division of the oathode surface.
- the invention particularly concerns high vacuum tubes because the points are apt to be destroyed by the ion bombardment which takes place in the gas or vapor.
- FIG. 1 is disclosed the discharge vessel I with an anode 2 and a pointed cathode 3.
- the vacuum-tight envelope has a tubulation indicated at 4 for the application of the pump or gas supply utilized in the formation of the tube.
- This tubulation 4 is preferably sealed off when the tube is ready for operation.
- the discharge vessel is preferably first filled with a gas, for example, argon, the pressure of which is preferably below 10- millimeters. A discharge is then passed between the cathode and anode for a relatively long time and the surface of the cathode points is coarsened by the rebound of ions. When this process is finished, the vessel is evacuated through the tubulation 4 which is sealed oif and the tube is ready for operation.
- a gas for example, argon
- high melting metals such, for example, as tungsten, tantalum or molybdenum are particularly suitable.
- the coarsened cathode surface may be vaporized with a light metal increasing the electron emitting activity such as barium, for example.
- an activation with thorium may also take place or a thoriated tungsten wire used for the cathode.
- a heating of the cathode may be necessary under certain circumstances, such as for the purpose of degasifying the cathode or other measures necessary in the protection of the oathode.
- at least two cathode points may be arranged as illustrated in Fig. 2.
- a heating current may be supplied through the conductor 5, the contact point of the two cathode parts 6 and the conductor 1.
- cathode may be desirable to provide the cathode not only with one but with a plurality or even with a large number of individual points which are connected in parallel with reference to the anode current. With this arrangement, a higher operating current is obtained while at the same time the maximum advantage of the efiect of the point in decreasing the necessary anode potential is obtained.
- the method of preparing a pointed cathode which comprises causing an electrical discharge in a gas between said cathode and a less pointed electrode until said cathode is surfaced with a large number of sub-microscopic small points, said gas being of less than 10- mm. pressure.
- the method of preparing a pointed cathode which comprises causing an electrical discharge in a gas between said cathode and a less pointed electrode until said cathode is surfaced with a large number of sub-microscopic small points, said gas being argon of less than 10- mm. pressure.
Description
Oct. 8, 1940. E. MULLER CATIIODE Filed March 19, 1938 WITNESSES:
INVENTOR E win Miller ATTORNE @earcn Patented Oct. 8, 1940 UNITED STATES Search PATENT OFFICE CATHODE Application March 19, 1938, Serial No. 196,924
Germany May 15, 1937 2 Claims.
The invention relates to cathodes and particularly pointed cathodes for high vacuum tubes.
An object of the invention is to provide a cathode whereby the value of the necessary anode potential to create a discharge is decreased.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawing, in which Figures 1 and 2 are views partly in cross section and partly in elevation of tubes embodying the invention.
The invention concerns the utilization of a cold cathode and especially a pointed cathode since in such a case, by reason of the inhomogeneity of the electric field, a discharge is possible at low potentials, and also without an external source of energy providing a heating current for the cathode. The invention also includes a cathode, preferably constructed as a point, being sub-divided by means of cathode disintegration in an electric discharge into a large number of individual sub-microscopic fine points. A great decrease in the necessary operating potential is possible by this multiple sub-division of the oathode surface. It is desirable, of course, not to operate the cathode with too high current strengths because a too great specific current loading at the fine cathode points will ruin the points. The invention particularly concerns high vacuum tubes because the points are apt to be destroyed by the ion bombardment which takes place in the gas or vapor.
In Figure 1 is disclosed the discharge vessel I with an anode 2 and a pointed cathode 3. The vacuum-tight envelope has a tubulation indicated at 4 for the application of the pump or gas supply utilized in the formation of the tube. This tubulation 4 is preferably sealed off when the tube is ready for operation. The discharge vessel is preferably first filled with a gas, for example, argon, the pressure of which is preferably below 10- millimeters. A discharge is then passed between the cathode and anode for a relatively long time and the surface of the cathode points is coarsened by the rebound of ions. When this process is finished, the vessel is evacuated through the tubulation 4 which is sealed oif and the tube is ready for operation.
As materials for the cathode, high melting metals such, for example, as tungsten, tantalum or molybdenum are particularly suitable. Under certain circumstances the coarsened cathode surface may be vaporized with a light metal increasing the electron emitting activity such as barium, for example. Furthermore, an activation with thorium may also take place or a thoriated tungsten wire used for the cathode. By the activation of the cathode, the necessary operating potential value is further decreased and this decreased operating potential still further protects the very large number of tiny points on the oathode. The necessary operating anode potential may be volts and lower.
A heating of the cathode may be necessary under certain circumstances, such as for the purpose of degasifying the cathode or other measures necessary in the protection of the oathode. For such purposes, at least two cathode points may be arranged as illustrated in Fig. 2. A heating current may be supplied through the conductor 5, the contact point of the two cathode parts 6 and the conductor 1.
It may be desirable to provide the cathode not only with one but with a plurality or even with a large number of individual points which are connected in parallel with reference to the anode current. With this arrangement, a higher operating current is obtained while at the same time the maximum advantage of the efiect of the point in decreasing the necessary anode potential is obtained.
It is apparent that many modificaions may be made in the form, arrangement and application of the invention. Accordingly, it is desired that only such limitations be placed on the following claims as is necessitated by the prior art.
I claim as my invention:
1. The method of preparing a pointed cathode which comprises causing an electrical discharge in a gas between said cathode and a less pointed electrode until said cathode is surfaced with a large number of sub-microscopic small points, said gas being of less than 10- mm. pressure.
2. The method of preparing a pointed cathode which comprises causing an electrical discharge in a gas between said cathode and a less pointed electrode until said cathode is surfaced with a large number of sub-microscopic small points, said gas being argon of less than 10- mm. pressure.
ERWIN MtiLLER.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE2217448X | 1937-05-15 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US2217448A true US2217448A (en) | 1940-10-08 |
Family
ID=7990645
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US196924A Expired - Lifetime US2217448A (en) | 1937-05-15 | 1938-03-19 | Cathode |
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US (1) | US2217448A (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2422324A (en) * | 1944-02-10 | 1947-06-17 | Westinghouse Electric Corp | Spark gap device |
US2715696A (en) * | 1951-08-28 | 1955-08-16 | Northrop Aircraft Inc | Gas-filled discharge lamp |
US2817002A (en) * | 1954-02-02 | 1957-12-17 | Research Corp | Fabrication of metal articles |
US2877338A (en) * | 1954-10-22 | 1959-03-10 | James Knights Company | Method of adjusting the operating frequency of sealed piezoelectric crystals |
US2886736A (en) * | 1954-02-02 | 1959-05-12 | Research Corp | Current rectifier |
US2921178A (en) * | 1955-05-26 | 1960-01-12 | Berghaus Elektrophysik Anst | Method and apparatus for the performance of technical processes by means of electric glow discharges |
US3091719A (en) * | 1959-04-14 | 1963-05-28 | Field Emission Corp | Microwave transducer |
US3233030A (en) * | 1960-05-12 | 1966-02-01 | F H Peavey & Company | Apparatus for high frequency treatment of ore |
US3356887A (en) * | 1965-07-30 | 1967-12-05 | Frederick C W Heil | Fe cathode redesign |
US5458754A (en) * | 1991-04-22 | 1995-10-17 | Multi-Arc Scientific Coatings | Plasma enhancement apparatus and method for physical vapor deposition |
-
1938
- 1938-03-19 US US196924A patent/US2217448A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2422324A (en) * | 1944-02-10 | 1947-06-17 | Westinghouse Electric Corp | Spark gap device |
US2715696A (en) * | 1951-08-28 | 1955-08-16 | Northrop Aircraft Inc | Gas-filled discharge lamp |
US2817002A (en) * | 1954-02-02 | 1957-12-17 | Research Corp | Fabrication of metal articles |
US2886736A (en) * | 1954-02-02 | 1959-05-12 | Research Corp | Current rectifier |
US2877338A (en) * | 1954-10-22 | 1959-03-10 | James Knights Company | Method of adjusting the operating frequency of sealed piezoelectric crystals |
US2921178A (en) * | 1955-05-26 | 1960-01-12 | Berghaus Elektrophysik Anst | Method and apparatus for the performance of technical processes by means of electric glow discharges |
US3091719A (en) * | 1959-04-14 | 1963-05-28 | Field Emission Corp | Microwave transducer |
US3233030A (en) * | 1960-05-12 | 1966-02-01 | F H Peavey & Company | Apparatus for high frequency treatment of ore |
US3356887A (en) * | 1965-07-30 | 1967-12-05 | Frederick C W Heil | Fe cathode redesign |
US5458754A (en) * | 1991-04-22 | 1995-10-17 | Multi-Arc Scientific Coatings | Plasma enhancement apparatus and method for physical vapor deposition |
US6139964A (en) * | 1991-04-22 | 2000-10-31 | Multi-Arc Inc. | Plasma enhancement apparatus and method for physical vapor deposition |
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