Deionization Considerations in a Harmonic Generator Employing a Gas-Tube Switch

A description is given of an experimental investigation of the properties of a thyratron operating as a high-frequency switch in a circuit which permitted the generation of a wide band of harmonics. The experiments indicate that there is an operating frequency below which no difficulties in deionization occur and above which stable operation requires that the grid potential fulfill certain conditions dependent upon the frequency, wave form of the grid voltage, and circuit constants. It has been found possible to operate certain standard thyratrons at switching frequencies as high as several hundred kilocycles per second. For these higher frequencies the deionization of the tubes is incomplete but normal switching behavior is obtained.