Sharp Cutoff in Vacuum Tubes, With Applications to the Slide-Back Voltmeter

That the current-voltage characteristics of vacuum tubes obey an exponential law near cutoff is pointed out. The larger the coefficient appearing in the exponent, the steeper will be the current-voltage curve, and the better suited the tube will be for use in a slide-back voltmeter. The problem of obtaining high values of k is considered, and a simple theory of rectification by an exponential conductor is given. The error inherent in slide-back voltmeters of the ordinary type is discussed, and a correction factor applicable to sine waves is derived. The circuit of a slide-back vacuum-tube voltmeter which includes means for measuring the k of the tube is shown.