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Research on unit circuits based on cathode modulated vacuum/air channel electron tube
Wenjing Ying1,2, Ziyi Lai3, Haitao Xu3
1National Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro and Nano Manufacture Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Microsystems & Nanoengineering
|April 19, 2026
Summary
This study introduces the cathode modulated vacuum/air channel electron tube (CMVET), which overcomes the gate leakage issue inherent in planar vacuum electron tubes (VETs). The new CMVET enables successful integration into essential electronic circuits, paving the way for monolithic vacuum tube integrated circuits.
Area of Science:
- Solid State Physics
- Microelectronics Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Planar vacuum electron tubes (VETs) have faced persistent gate leakage issues for a decade.
- These limitations have hindered the practical circuit integration of VETs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel vacuum/air channel electron tube design.
- To address and resolve the gate leakage problem in vacuum electron tubes.
- To demonstrate the circuit integration capabilities of the new device.
Main Methods:
- Development of a cathode modulated vacuum/air channel electron tube (CMVET).
- Integration of the CMVET into fundamental circuit blocks.
- Testing CMVET functionality in amplifiers and logic gates.
Main Results:
- The proposed CMVET design completely solves the gate leakage problem.
- Successful integration of CMVET into common-source, differential, and cascode amplifiers.
- Demonstrated functionality of CMVET in NOR and NAND logic gates.
Conclusions:
- The CMVET offers a viable solution to the gate leakage issue in vacuum electron tubes.
- The device's successful circuit integration lays the groundwork for monolithic vacuum tube integrated circuits.
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