First progress report on a multi-channel magnetic drum inner ...

VIII-5
yet every possibility of reducing complication should be explored^ and
in particular with parallel operation at ,01 second cyclic rate, pulsers
consisting of a single gas thyratron are distinctly possible and could
de ionize readily in a millisecond so as to be ready for the next
occasion. These tubes could not be used for the sequence of 40 possible
pulses spaced 10 irlcroseccnds apart as required by the series arrange-
ment; in fact, this system calls for quite refined design in hard-tube
blocking oscillator techniques.
10) There is also the gating problem in the series system; in
each channel a gate must be supplied capable of handling the full
recording current of 10 amp. without attrition, and also of handling
the low voltage level of the amplifier innut without introducing
noise. This is no easy set of specifications to meet, especially if
strictly loyal to vacuum tube techniques. Within the realm of possibili-
ties are high speed electromagnetic relays, which can easily be obtained
and will operats in time intervals of 1 millisecond or less; also surface-
layer rectifier arrangements merit some consideration.
11) .'/hile no insuperable, or even very severe problems are presented
by these alternatives it is nevertheless quite clear that alternatives
exist involving considerable numbers of circuit elements, and that some
thought should be devoted to this problem before proceeding • No
delay is expected in realizing suitable means, and the project is at the
closing date of this <strong>report</strong> less than four months old, so that decision