RCA 3C23 Thyrotron Tube

The RCA 3C23 is a hydrogen-filled Thyratron tube, used primarily as a high-speed switch in radar and pulsed power applications. It operates similarly to a gas-filled triode, capable of handling high peak currents (up to several hundred amperes) and fast rise times, making it ideal for pulsed modulators. The hydrogen gas allows for rapid deionization, enabling high repetition rates. Its rugged design and reliability made it popular in mid-20th-century military and industrial electronics.