Magnetron anode erosion in the presence of cathodes containing oxides

An association between magnetron anode vane erosion and presence of oxides in the cathode has been noticed at several laboratories in the past 10 to 15 years, although it does not seem to have been formally reported. it has been suggested that CO rather than oxygen is involved, but the prolem has not been clearly resolved. It assumes some importance in connection with the use of oxygen replenishers in cold cathode cross-fields amplifiers using aluminium cathodes.