thyratron
/ˈθaɪrətrɒn/
noun
- A type of gas-filled electronic tube that can switch high voltages or currents on and off, used in older electronic devices and industrial equipment.
- The old radio transmitter still uses a thyratron to control the power output.
- Thyratrons were commonly used in radar systems during World War II.
- Engineers replaced the thyratron with a modern solid-state switch for better reliability.