Cathode Spot Initiation on a Mercury Pool by Means of an External Grid

摘要

Experiments relating to mercuryhyphen;pool stroboscope tubes with external starting bands are described. Of particular interest is the unidirectional current that is found to flow in the plate circuit when grounded and its relationship to the formation of a cathode spot on the mercury cathode. Cathodehyphen;ray oscillograms are exhibited showing the periodic nature of this current. The potential of a disconnected electrode is negative with respect to the cathode and has a value of several thousand volts. Curves of the volthyphen;ampere characteristics of an anode are given as a function of tube dimensions, gas pressure and other factors.