electron gun

noun

, Electronics, Television.

1. a device consisting of the cathode ray tube, which emits electrons, and a surrounding electrostatic or electromagnetic apparatus, which controls, focuses, and accelerates the stream of electrons electron beam.

electron gun

noun

1. a heated cathode with an associated system of electrodes and coils for producing and focusing a beam of electrons, used esp in cathode-ray tubes

electron gun

1. The part of a cathode-ray tube that emits a narrow beam of electrons, consisting of a cathode, control grids, and usually a heater. Electrons are emitted from the cathode, which is typically heated by electric current to give the electrons escape energy. The electrons are then focused into a beam by the electric fields of the control grids.

Word History and Origins

Origin of electron gun¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Lui works with a German engineer who helps refurbish tubes — by installing a new electron gun to fix yellowing, for example.

From The Verge

And so is the tether, because the craft also carries a solar-powered electron gun that shoots out into space a stream of electrons scavenged from the wires.

From Economist

Last October, physicists fired electrons from an electron gun through the spectrometer.

From Science Magazine

The solar wind’s negatively charged particles are discharged by means of an “electron gun,” so that the e-sail maintains a positive electric field.

From National Geographic

The electron gun shown on the right provides particles for the electron cooling of antiprotons.

From Nature