Amalgam-Cathode Materials for Power Tubes

The proper operation of ignitrons and other mercury-pool cathode tubes of conventional design may be impeded where these tubes are subjected to vibration, tipping, or rapid acceleration. These factors would, in general, be present in installations in electric locomotives, ships, or military tanks. In some cases arc-backs or of the mercury. Many of the uses of the mercury-pool cathode tubes are predicated on the copious electron emission of mercury. It has been the aim of the research described in this paper to obtain a cathode which retains the tremendous emission capabilities of mercury and yet is mechanically rigid so that jarring or tilting of the tube does not affect the operation of the tube.