Public domain ↗
Klystron
- Year
- 1937
- Creator
- Russell Varian, Sigurd Varian, William W. Hansen
- Company
- Stanford University
- Location
- Stanford, California
- Room
- Radio Valley ↗
Description
A klystron is a vacuum tube that puts a beam of electrons into bunches, and thus it makes and amplifies microwaves. Russell and Sigurd Varian made the first klystron at Stanford in 1937, and Westinghouse made this cutaway tube in 1940.
Importance
In World War II, klystrons became important parts of radar equipment. Later, they powered satellite links, medical equipment, and particle accelerators such as the Mark III at Stanford. The klystron also gave the Varian brothers the product for their company, Varian Associates.
Interesting fact
Stanford gave the Varian brothers laboratory space and $100 a year for equipment, and it received half of the patent royalties.
Sources
- Perham Collection Creator Profile: Russell and Sigurd Varian ↗History San José
- The Klystron (SLAC-PUB-7731), George Caryotakis ↗SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory · 1998-04
- 9 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know Were Invented at Stanford ↗Stanford Magazine (Rebecca Beyer)
- Electronics, November 1940 (cover: klystron made by Westinghouse under Sperry patents) ↗McGraw-Hill, via World Radio History · 1940-11
- History ↗Edward L. Ginzton Laboratory, Stanford University
- Prototype klystron cutaway (Electronics magazine cover, November 1940) ↗Wikimedia Commons · 1940-11