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electron gun
noun
: an electron-emitting cathode and its surrounding assembly (such as electromagnets in a cathode-ray tube) for directing, controlling, and focusing a beam of electrons
Examples of electron gun in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Like Lindenblad in his earlier design, Kompfner used a precision electron gun, unavailable at the time of Haeff’s pioneering work, to direct the beam along the central axis right inside the helix.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Aug. 2015
When the set is shut down, the electromagnets deactivate and the remnant beam from the electron gun defaults momentarily to the center of the screen before dying out—but not always in the same spot, as Crippens discovered.
—Rebecca Horne, Discover Magazine, 2 June 2010
The researchers expect that the whole kit, including the electron gun, can be encapsulated on a chip.
—Chris Lee, Ars Technica, 22 July 2019
Varying the output of the electron gun, however, can create a lopsided force deliberately, permitting the craft to be steered.
—The Economist, 21 Sep. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'electron gun.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1924, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near electron gun
Cite this Entry
“Electron gun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electron%20gun. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
electron gun
noun
: the part of a cathode-ray tube that produces, accelerates, and focuses a stream of electrons
More from Merriam-Webster on electron gun
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about electron gun
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