Cold Cathode Rectification

Asymmetric conductivity in a gas between two electrodes can be accomplished without the use of a hot cathode, if the relative areas of the electrodes are widely different. This paper presents the results of an investigation of the discharge phenomena and asymmetric conductivity in a cold cathode rectifier tube containing two anodes and one cathode, when utilizing: (1) one anode and one cathode; (2) two anodes and one cathode; and (3) two anodes and one cathode and a low-pass filter circuit. The electrodes are situated in a gaseous atmosphere of helium and neon at 20 mm Hg. pressure. A theoretical explanation of the asymmetric conductivity is considered; (1) for the initial state of asymmetry; and (2) for the limiting state of asymmetry, the former referring to the phenomena of ionization by collision and the latter to the theory of normal cathode current densities. Typical static characteristic curves are shown, from which can be anticipated the asymmetry shown by the oscillographic records. Theoretical expressions are given for degree of asymmetry in half-and full-wave rectification, and data collected with reference to the performance of the rectifiers show that the theoretical values are closely approached by this cold cathode type of tube.