magnetron
mag nuh tron
- n a diode vacuum tube in which the flow of electrons from a central cathode to a cylindrical anode is controlled by crossed magnetic and electric fields; used mainly in microwave oscillators
- The magnetron, by whirling electrons at high speed inside a magnetized cylinder, produced extremely short radio waves and great power.
- The trick is done by shooting through the food a beam of ultra-high frequency radio energy from a magnetron, the tube which powered many wartime radars.
- Chief remaining obstacle is the high cost of the magnetron tubes that must be used in its repeater stations, but he thinks their price can be cut down by large-scale manufacture.