# Crossatron

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossatron
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{{Short description|Type of gas-filled tube used as a pulsed modulator device}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Advert|date=October 2015}}
{{inline|date=December 2009}}
{{onesource|date=June 2024}}
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In [electronics](/source/electronics), a '''crossatron''' is a high-power pulsed [modulator](/source/modulator) device that consists of a [cold cathode](/source/cold_cathode) [gas-filled tube](/source/gas-filled_tube) that combines features of [thyratron](/source/thyratron)s, [vacuum tubes](/source/vacuum_tubes), and power [semiconductor](/source/semiconductor) switches. This switch is capable of operating with voltages in excess of 100 [kilovolts](/source/Volt) by the use of [deuterium](/source/deuterium) gas fill to increase the [Paschen breakdown voltage](/source/Paschen_breakdown_voltage), axial [molybdenum](/source/molybdenum) cathode corrugations to provide a higher current capability, and a Paschen shield that is formed from molybdenum. The terminal curvature of the Paschen shield and of the adjacent portion of the anode are selected to establish a voltage stress at the curved Paschen shield surface within the approximate range of 90–150 kV/cm in response to a 100 kV differential. The cold cathode gives the crossatron an advantage of achievable lifetime and reliability in comparison to a hydrogen-filled thyratron.

It features fast start-up speeds and operates well when enduring high temperatures, high radiation, [electromagnetic pulse](/source/electromagnetic_pulse), and repeated [overvoltage](/source/overvoltage) and overcurrent events. Crossatron switch applications in [power conditioning](/source/power_conditioning) include high-voltage phase-control-rectifier service, high-frequency DC-to-AC [inverter](/source/inverter_(electrical)) modulation, [voltage regulation](/source/voltage_regulation), command charging, and fault protection. [Pulsed power](/source/Pulsed_power) applications include high-speed discharging of [capacitor](/source/capacitor)s and [pulse-forming network](/source/pulse-forming_network)s, repetitive opening of [inductive](/source/inductance)-energy-storage circuits, modulation of [square wave](/source/Square_wave_(waveform)) pulses in hard-tube modulators, and fault protection.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a223766.pdf
{{Electronic components}}

Category:Gas-filled tubes
Category:Switching tubes
Category:Deuterium

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Crossatron](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossatron) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossatron?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.