KRYTRON Meaning and
Definition
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A krytron is an electronic switch device, typically a gas-filled tube, utilized for rapid and precise control of electrical currents. Primarily employed in various applications involving high voltages and quick switching speeds, krytrons are frequently used in military and industrial systems. The tube is filled with a noble gas, such as xenon, and incorporates components like a trigger electrode, a main electrode, and a control grid.
Functionally, a krytron works by utilizing an external pulse or signal applied to the trigger electrode to ionize the gas within the tube, which creates a conductive path between the main electrode and the control grid. This instantaneous change in conductivity enables the device to act as a high-speed switch, allowing the flow of electrical current through the circuit. The krytron can be quickly switched off as well, by removing the pulse or signal from the trigger electrode.
The krytron's ability to switch current on and off with exceptional speed, on the order of nanoseconds, makes it highly valuable in applications requiring rapid and precise control over electrical circuits. Some common applications of krytrons include explosive and detonation devices, lasers, radar systems, and high-energy physics experiments. Although less commonly used today due to the advent of newer technologies, the krytron remains a crucial component in specialized electrical systems that necessitate high-speed switching capabilities.
Common Misspellings for KRYTRON
- jrytron
- mrytron
- lrytron
- orytron
- irytron
- keytron
- kdytron
- kfytron
- ktytron
- k5ytron
- k4ytron
- krttron
- krgtron
- krhtron
- krutron
- kr7tron
- kr6tron
- kryrron
- kryfron
- krygron
Etymology of KRYTRON
The word "krytron" is derived from the combination of two words: "krypton" and "electron".
The term "krypton" comes from the Greek word "kryptos", meaning "hidden" or "concealed". Krypton is a chemical element on the periodic table with the symbol "Kr", and it was named so because it is a rarely found, inert noble gas that tends not to interact with other elements.
The second part, "electron", originates from the ancient Greek word "ēlektron", meaning "amber". This term was used to describe the static electricity phenomenon observed when rubbing amber. Over time, it became the name of the subatomic particle carrying a negative charge.
When combined, "krytron" refers to a type of gas-filled electron tube that contains krypton. The name reflects how the gas is concealed within the tube, similar to the properties of the noble gas krypton.
