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Krytron
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<p>The krytron is a <a href="/facts/Cold-cathode/da9mlNne">cold-cathode</a> <a href="/facts/Gas-filled_tube/uPNhhy7I">gas-filled tube</a> intended for use as a very high-speed <a href="/facts/Switch/vqbNDgYm">switch</a>, somewhat similar to the <a href="/facts/Thyratron/tkhB15CK">thyratron</a>. It consists of a sealed glass tube with four <a href="/facts/Electrode/251PaKX8">electrodes</a>. A small triggering pulse on the <a href="/facts/Control_grid/EW6hcLj6">grid</a> electrode switches the tube on, allowing a large current to flow between the <a href="/facts/Cathode/tqdlGayU">cathode</a> and <a href="/facts/Anode/TjYt95zG">anode</a> electrodes. The vacuum version is called a vacuum krytron, or sprytron. The krytron was one of the earliest developments of the <a href="/facts/EG%2526G_Corporation/7Ifj8q4R">EG&G Corporation</a>. </p>