Grid-to-plate current-voltage characteristics of a corona triode

Abstract
Measurements of the grid-to-plate current-voltage characteristics of the corona triode are reported. A space-charge-limited current (SCLC) characteristic is observed to hold for low values of the plate current IP, provided that the grid voltage Vg is corrected for a counter potential Vr. The analysis of experimental results indicates that Vr is due both to penetration of field lines through the grid and to the corona wind. However, departure from SCLC regime is observed at higher plate currents, when the ion supply from the corona current becomes insufficient to afford it. A simplified theory is developed in order to explain the results. In the calculation, a layer of recombination centers is substituted for the grid. The model fits the whole characteristics and leads to reasonable value of the parameters defined by the model.