A new concept in microwave gas switching elements

Summary form only given. A gas switching tube commonly known as a tr tube is an rf energy switch, the operation of which is a function of incident power level. Switch operation is achieved by gaseous ionization. The major problem in the design of gas switching devices has been that of achieving simultaneously, a short recovery time and a low arc loss. This problem has been eliminated by the development of the device described herein. The design objective was to produce a self-contained tr window for operation at very high powers. The arc loss developed by conventional tube design at these high power levels would be sufficient to melt any known window material.