MehrElektronenröhren

MehrElektronenröhren, a term of German origin, translates to "multi-electron tubes" in English. This refers to a class of vacuum tubes that contain more than one active electron element within a single glass envelope. Unlike simple diodes which possess only an anode and a cathode, multi-electron tubes incorporate additional electrodes that influence the flow of electrons. These additional electrodes, often referred to as grids, serve various purposes such as controlling the electron flow, amplifying signals, or generating oscillations.

The most common types of multi-electron tubes include triodes, tetrodes, and pentodes. A triode, for instance, adds a control grid between the cathode and anode, allowing for signal amplification by modulating the electron stream. Tetrodes introduce a screen grid to reduce inter-electrode capacitance, improving high-frequency performance. Pentodes further enhance performance with the addition of a suppressor grid, minimizing secondary emission effects. These tubes were foundational to early electronic circuits, playing crucial roles in radio receivers, transmitters, audio amplifiers, and early computing devices before their widespread replacement by semiconductor technology.