Electron Tubes & Vacuum Devices

Description | The IOT became the tube of choice for TV broadcasters in the 1990s due to its compact size and improved efficiencies over the klystron. The standard IOT can easily be operated either in combined or common mode. Richardson Electronics supplies a complete range of Analog and Digital IOTs to meet your broadcasting needs. Read less on this

Description | Ignitrons are ignitor-fired mercury pool rectifiers with very high peak and average current handling capability. Low frequency ignitrons were the backbone of the welder control and electroplating industries for years. These low-cost devices are still in use today in large motor speed controls and many welder panels around the world. Richardson Electronics offers the following Ignitrons and Accessories: Pulse Power Ignitrons National Electronics' high voltage switching ignitrons are used in a wide variety of pulse power applications, such as capacitor discharge, laser switching, magneforming, magnetizing and crowbar circuits. They are used in switching service for currents ranging to 700,000 Amps with voltages ranging to 50 kV. Solid State Replacements Several "Welder" type ignitrons can be replaced with SSRIs (Solid State Replacement Ignitrons) designed to exact specifications and replace a pair of low frequency resistance welder-style ignitrons. Richardson Electronics may be able to offer an SSRI for your application. Ignitron Connectors & Accessories Ignitrons are unique devices and sometimes require ancillary parts for connecting or mounting. We offer ignitor connection leads, water-cooled mounting brackets for our "A" size tubes and thermostats for our resistance welding tubes. Read less on this

Description |

An electron gun consists of a cathode and anode with the cathode bearing a negative electrical charge and the anode bearing a positive electrical charge. When the cathode is heated to high temperatures and is negatively charged, electrons are released from its surface at which point, the positive electrical charge of the anode draws the electrons to and through itself into the next stage of electron acceleration.

As the exclusive distributor for New Japan Radio Co. Ltd in North America and Europe, and as the master distributor for the rest of the world excluding Japan and Korea, we supply a variety of electron guns to suit almost every need in the market today. NJRC has a wide range of standard cathodes and eguns and can custom make eguns to meet customers’ specification. They can simulate performance and suggest the optimal cathode diameter, Wehnelt cylinder and anode.

Description | Broadcast klystrons range in frequency from 470 MHz to 860 MHz and in power levels from 15 kW to more than 60 kW. They feature external cavities and employ energy-saving means from ACE (BCD) to multi-stage depressed collector (MSDC). Richardson Electronics offers new and rebuilt klystrons for a number of applications including scientific/research and UHF-TV broadcasting. We offer UHF-TV klystrons for the maintenance of existing systems. Devices range in frequency from 470 MHz to 860 MHz and in power levels from 15 kW to more than 60 kW. They feature external cavities and employ energy-saving means from ACE (BCD) to multi-stage depressed collector (MSDC). We also stock a broad line of high-efficiency power klystrons for airborne, shipboard and tactical land applications as well as for communications. High and medium power klystrons ranging in output from several hundred watts to tens of megawatts--either CW or pulsed--feature low spectrum noise output and excellent frequency stability. Read less on this

Description |

Richardson Electronics specializes in supplying high power microwave devices for medical, cargo scanning, non-destructive testing (NDT), and scientific applications. As the exclusive distributor for New Japan Radio Company (NJRC) in North America and Europe we supply high power C, S, and X Band magnetrons ranging from peak output powers of 500kW to 3.1MW.

Description |

Richardson Electronics supplies a wide range of CW magnetrons. CW Magnetrons are a low-cost, efficient cross-field microwave oscillator used for the generation of continuous-wave (CW) signals. S-band (2450MHz), L-band (915/896MHz), and the new 5.89GHz CW magnetrons are typically used in industrial drying and heating applications requiring CW microwave energy. Richardson Electronics offers direct replacements for most typical configurations, ranging in power from 300w - 30kw @ 2450, 5kw -100kw @915/896/922 MHz and 700w @5.86 GHz. These replacement magnetrons will operate in systems from most Original Equipment Manufacturers. Our engineering staff can assist you in selecting the magnetron that best meets your system's specific requirements.

Description |

Richardson Electronics supplies a wide range of pulsed magnetrons. Pulse magnetrons cover power levels from 1 kW to 3 MW at frequencies from 1 GHz to 35 GHz. Proprietary cathode design offers lifetime in excess of 10,000 hours. Primary applications for pulse magnetrons are radar and medical linear accelerators. We supply fixed frequency, tunable frequency, electronic frequency tuning and coaxial types. These replacement magnetrons will operate in systems from most Original Equipment Manufacturers. Our engineering staff can assist you in selecting the magnetron that best meets your system's specific requirements.

Top photo - X band and S band marine radar magnetrons
Left bottom photo - P/N M1926- 70 kW mechanically tunable X band coaxial magnetron
Middle bottom photo - P/N M1913- 250 kW mechanically tunable C band coaxial magnetron
Right bottom photo - P/N M1910- 60 kW mechanically tunable KU band coaxial magnetron

Description | Richardson Electronics offers pentode tubes with plate dissipations and useful output power up to several kilowatts. Although less popular than triodes and tetrodes, because of their complexity both in manufacturing and circuit design, pentodes maintain a position of importance as amplifiers and regulators in a wide variety of uses, including the broadcast industry and audiophiles. Our extensive inventory of pentodes spans from receiving tubes with a few watts of plate dissipation to power tubes with plate dissipations and useful output power of several kilowatts. We also offer a technical support team to help you find the product best-suited for your requirements. Read less on this

Description | Richardson Electronics offers planar triodes for a variety of applications including usage in repeaters, high voltage switching and transponders. Using high quality ceramic/metal construction, these planar triodes can operate in very ruggedized conditions for several thousand hours. For those seeking additional cooling, radiators are available on many types to allow for forced-air cooling. Read less on this

Description | For high linearity, high gain and greater isolation, the tetrode is the tube of choice. Many manufacturers offer tetrode design transmitters to meet increasing power needs. In fact, tetrodes are the primary means for achieving power levels above 1 MW. Shortwave transmitters, including those broadcasting in Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) format, turn to Eimac products from 100 kW to 1 MW. While a mainstay in AM, FM or TV broadcast transmitters; tetrodes are being used today in high power RF heating systems where the designer uses a separate oscillator driver to attain tight frequency control. Air-cooling is used with plate dissipation ratings of up to 40 kW; while water, vapor-phase and multi-phase cooling is used above 40 kW. Richardson Electronics offers the world's largest selection of power tetrodes from stock for names like CPI-Eimac, Amperex, Thales, BURLE, and National Electronics, as well as rebuilt product from CPI-Econco. Read less on this

Description | Triodes can be used in both broadcast and industrial applications and are desired for their simple, yet highly stable design. Triodes have lower power gain than tetrodes, but can achieve output power up to 1.25 MW.   Richardson Electronics supplies the leading brands of triodes from Amperex, Eimac, National and Thales including the popular including the popular YU191B and RS3021CJ. Read less on this

Description | Richardson Electronics offers an extensive supply of traveling wave tubes (TWT) and traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTA) to support electronic warfare (EW), radar and satellite communication transmitters. We stock TWTAs from more than 50 specialized high-voltage power supply options. Power levels can range from 10 to 1000 watts and frequency ranges from 2 GHz to 18 GHz. Read less on this

Description | For industrial, broadcast, and CCTV applications, Richardson Electronics carries the largest inventory of common camera tube replacements in the world. From Vidicons, Newvicons, Saticons, and Ultracons to Plumbicons, Vidicons, Saticons, and Newvicons, you name them, we have them. If we don't have the camera tube you need, more than likely it is no longer available. If that is the case, our experts can help to find an exact replacement. All camera tubes are guaranteed top quality and will perform immediately upon installation. Stringent quality control and selection ensure the best possible imaging performance. Read less on this

Description | Amperite has been solving circuit timing requirements since 1922. Richardson Electronics offers Amperite's full line of high-quality time delay relays and flashers. If we don't carry the part you need, Amperite has the flexibility to custom design a delay relay or flasher to meet your specific needs. Read less on this

Description | The principal characteristics of the Thales Diacrode® are the enhanced power associated with high gain and efficiency. It also features ease of adjustment and increased stability thanks to the associated RF circuit (TH 18610 and TH 18680 cavities) and simplified cooling requirements. Due to the relatively low operating voltage, the power supply design is simplified. The Diacrode®'s excellent linearity makes it well suited to the requirements for digital TV. Richardson Electronics carries a wide range of Thales-brand Diacrodes® from stock to support your on-going UHF-TV broadcasting applications. Read less on this

Description | Geiger-Mueller counters are small, robust nuclear radiation detectors used to determine the presence of alpha, beta or gamma radiation. They are capable of detecting, measuring, and with simple circuitry, providing sufficient output to drive displays and indicators. In addition to producing quantitative data they are often used for personnel safety devices in nuclear power installations, laboratories and medical facilities. Read less on this

Description | Richardson Electronics offers a broad range of Bayard-Alpert type ionization gauge tubes to meet your needs. The conventional glass types are available with either Nonex™, Pyrex™, or Kovar™ flanged tubulations - available in 1/2" and 1" diameters. Nude Ionization Gauges The Cetron CE8130 ionization gauge is a flange mounted Bayard-Alpert (BA) type, which has a range of 1 x 10-3 Torr to 2 x 10-11 Torr. It is available with either a two thoria coated iridium filaments (CE8130) or two tungsten filaments (CE8130T). Both filament types are replaceable. The Cetron CE8140 is a high sensitivity ionization gauge that has a range of 1 x 10-3 Torr to 4 x 10-10 Torr. It incorporates a replaceable bonded thoria filament and is well suited for either electron bombardment or I2R methods degassing, making it compatible with either type of controller. Read less on this

Description | Richardson Electronics is dedicated to providing the premium quality audio tubes that have stood the test of time. Thousands of tube types from the industry's leading manufacturers are available from stock: Amperex, Amperex Bugle Boy, Cetron, Electro-Harmonix, GE, National, Philips and Sovtek. We offer one of the world's largest inventories of receiving tubes for audiophiles and amateur radio enthusiasts, along with an ISO 9002-certified distribution network. Specialty sales and applications engineering support ensures your requirements are handled properly. Read less on this