Klystron

[ klis-tron, klahy-stron, -struhn ]

Trademark.

1. a brand name for a vacuum tube containing an electron gun, a resonator that changes the velocity of the electron beam in accordance with a signal buncher resonator, a drift tube in which the electron velocity does not change, another resonator that abstracts energy from the electron beam catcher resonator, and an electrode that collects the electrons collector electrode. It has several ultra-high-frequency applications. Compare resonator ( def 4 ).

klystron

/ ˈklɪstrɒn; ˈklaɪ- /

noun

1. an electron tube for the amplification or generation of microwaves by means of velocity modulation

Word History and Origins

Origin of Klystron¹

C20 klys-, from Greek klus-, kluzein to wash over, break over + -tron

Example Sentences

The sofa-length artifact on display, this klystron tube is a vacuum device that amplifies very high frequencies.

From Washington Post

At its heart is something called Klystron dual-polarization Doppler.

From New York Times

Across the far north of Canada and Alaska, Litton klystron tubes generate radar beams for the Distant Early Warning line.

From Time Magazine Archive

Led by Provost Frederick E. Terman, the university's own first-rate engineering school produced such electronic inventions as the klystron tube, which in turn spurred a space-age complex around Palo Alto that now comprises more than 200 companies.

From Time Magazine Archive

Today, as the biggest producer of the klystron tube, which guides Air Force missiles and irradiates Army food, Varian has grown from seven employees to 1,230, did an annual business of $11 million in 1956.

From Time Magazine Archive