Plasma cathode thyratron

The objective of this work is to provide a thyratron type device which is capable of cold-start operation; thus eliminating the need for standby power. A replica of a cold-cathode triode, described by Vagin in the Russian literature, was built and tested. The results do not support Vagin's description of its operation. A triode of our own design operates satisfactorily without filament power. A keep-alive or ignitor electrode is proposed as a solution to the high grid breakdown voltage and anode jitter found during the start-up period.