RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SUPERPOWER THYRATRONS

Efforts were continued on the development of thyratron tubes capable of switching a peak power of 50 megawatts at an average power of 200 kilowatts. Full objective ratings have not been achieved when using a saturable reactor in the anode lead, when using an anode design intended to distribute anode dissipation, or when utilizing a charging circuit having charging triodes. This suggests that anode dissipation AND RECOVERY TIME ARE NOT THE SOLE FACTORS WHICH LIMIT THE Z-5212 to subobjective power levels. Test data are presented on Z-5212, Nos. 9A, 11A, and 13. The highest performing tube, No. 11A, is capable of operating steadily at 35 KV, and seven amperes average. Distortion of the gradient grid is discussed. Author