The magnetron beam switching tube. Its operation and circuit design criteria

The properties of a magnetron type of beam switching tube (a tube operated with crossed electric and magnetic fields) and its operation as a switching component are described. The tube is called the magnetron beam switching tube (abbreviated MBS tube). Because of the electron beam-forming property of crossed fields, a tube with 10 anode segments individually connected through proper impedances may operate with 10 stable beam positions at each of which the electron beam will strike only one of the segments; or it will operate in an astable state, in which the electron beam sweeps from one segment to another successively. Astable operation of the tube is the result of a relaxation oscillation. By combining the stable and astable operations, the tube may be very useful in switching circuits. A description of electron paths in the tube is given to help one acquire an insight into the tube operation. A method is given for designing MBS tube circuits. The stability of the stable states and the consistency of the switching operation are discussed. Comparisons are made between the MBS tubes and other counting devices.