mecury triode?
Datecirca 1914
Inventory NumberVT1961
ClassificationVacuum Tube
Maker
American
?
Cultural Region
Dimensions30 cm (11 13/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionA vacuum tube consisting of a cylindrical vessel with six (6) side tubes as follows: 1) At one end, a broad tube with an electrode in the shape of a disk oriented on the cylinder's axis at the mouth of the side tube. 2) At one side, a smaller tube that holds the stem of disk shaped electrode that is held at the center of the main tube oriented on the cylinder's axis. 3) At the same side, a smaller tube that holds the base of an electrode that is in the shape of a ring and is also at the center of the main tube oriented on its axis. 4) At the far end, another relatively large side tube holding a needle-shaped electrode in it coinciding with the main cylinder's axis. 5) Facing opposite tube (3) an irregularly shaped empty glass bulb that curves in the direction of the end with the needle electrode. 6) Facing opposite tube (2), a thin, long tube that makes a right angle turn in the direction of the cylinder's end with the disk-shaped electrode.
The vacuum tube contains an amount of mercury inside that is enough to completely fill one of the side tubes.
The vacuum tube contains an amount of mercury inside that is enough to completely fill one of the side tubes.
Signedunsigned
FunctionThis is likely to be an experimental mercury triode. Two of its electrodes (probably the ones at opposite ends of the tube) would act as a cathode and anode, and when connected to a voltage source electricity would pass from one to the other conducted by a thin atmosphere of mercury vapor. The cathode would be submerged in mercury. The other electrodes would likely act as the grid of the triode, regulating the flow of electricity between cathode and anode by being connected to a different voltage source or signal to be amplified.
Carl Zeiss Jena
Date: circa 1926
Accessories: wooden box with two hook-and-eye latches to fasten front opening; in instrument file: instruction book (photocopy); Geissler tube labeled "H2"; carboard tube containing German thermometer C in stainless steel holder that screws into instrument; glass bottle with cork stopper labeled "Monobromnaphthalin, Germany nD=1 658"; small round cardboard box labeled "For Pulfrich Refractometer" containing one tubulure
Object number: 1996-1-0229
