Secondary Emission Ratio Research Articles

The division of primary electron current between grid and anode of a triode

The paper describes a method of determining the distribution, between the grid and anode, of the current emitted by the cathode of a cylindrical triode. Measurements of the temperature of the anode are used to verify that this distribution depends on the ratio of the potentials applied to the anode and grid, and not on their absolute values. A direct method is then described in which the grid and anode currents are measured in conditions such that there is no flow of secondary current; by this means, the distribution of primary current from the cathode, and the value of any secondary current flowing between the anode and grid, can be deduced in any conditions of operation. Curves are obtained by the former method, showing the variation with impact energy of the secondary-emission ratio for both nickel and molybdenum anodes.