Note on the Ionization Time of an Argon-filled Relay

Abstract

Details are given of some experiments in which the voltage collapse across an Osram GT1C argon-filled relay when triggered by a steep-fronted rectangular impulse voltage on the grid, was recorded on a high-speed cathode ray oscillograph. Curves showing the variation of ionization time with grid over-voltages up to 50 V. and with anode voltages up to 240 V. are given, and typical oscillograms showing the marked effect of the amplitude of the grid impulse are reproduced. Ionization times ranging from 0.16 to 2.2 μsec. were measured. A brief discussion of the oscillograms with reference to previous studies is included.