firebottle

firebottle
 n.obs.

   A large, primitive, power-hungry active electrical device, similar in
   function to a FET but constructed out of glass, metal, and vacuum.
   Characterized by high cost, low density, low reliability,
   high-temperature operation, and high power dissipation. Sometimes
   mistakenly called a tube in the U.S. or a valve in England; another
   hackish term is {glassfet}.
    

electron tube
firebottle
vacuum tube

   <electronics> (Or tube, vacuum tube, UK: valve, electron
   valve, thermionic valve, firebottle, glassfet) An electronic
   component consisting of a space exhausted of gas to such an
   extent that {electrons} may move about freely, and two or more
   electrodes with external connections.  Nearly all tubes are of
   the thermionic type where one electrode, called the cathode,
   is heated, and electrons are emitted from its surface with a
   small energy (typically a Volt or less).  A second electrode,
   called the anode (plate) will attract the electrons when it is
   positive with respect to the cathode, allowing current in one
   direction but not the other.

   In types which are used for amplification of signals,
   additional electrodes, called grids, beam-forming electrodes,
   focussing electrodes and so on according to their purpose, are
   introduced between cathode and plate and modify the flow of
   electrons by electrostatic attraction or (usually) repulsion.
   A voltage change on a grid can control a substantially greater
   change in that between cathode and anode.

   Unlike {semiconductors}, except perhaps for {FETs}, the
   movement of electrons is simply a function of electrostatic
   field within the active region of the tube, and as a
   consequence of the very low mass of the electron, the currents
   can be changed quickly.  Moreover, there is no limit to the
   current density in the space, and the electrodes which do
   dissapate power are usually metal and can be cooled with
   forced air, water, or other refrigerants.  Today these
   features cause tubes to be the active device of choice when
   the signals to be amplified are a power levels of more than
   about 500 watts.

   The first electronic digital computers used hundreds of vacuum
   tubes as their active components which, given the reliability
   of these devices, meant the computers needed frequent repairs
   to keep them operating.  The chief causes of unreliability are
   the heater used to heat the cathode and the connector into
   which the tube was plugged.

   Vacuum tube manufacturers in the US are nearly a thing of the
   past, with the exception of the special purpose types used in
   broadcast and image sensing and displays.  Eimac, GE, RCA, and
   the like would probably refer to specific types such as "Beam
   Power Tetrode" and the like, and rarely use the generic terms.

   The {cathode ray tube} is a special purpose type based on
   these principles which is used for the visual display in
   television and computers.  X-ray tubes are diodes (two element
   tubes) used at high voltage; a tungsten anode emits the
   energetic photons when the energetic electrons hit it.
   Magnetrons use magnetic fields to constrain the electrons;
   they provide very simple, high power, ultra-high frequency
   signals for radar, microwave ovens, and the like.  Klystrons
   amplify signals at high power and microwave frequencies.

   (1996-02-05)