Cathode
In space and astronautical engineering, a cathode is a negatively charged electrode that emits electrons into a vacuum. Cathodes are used in a variety of applications, including ion thrusters, electron guns, and cathode ray tubes. In ion thrusters, cathodes emit electrons that are accelerated by an electric field and collide with a propellant gas, creating ions that are expelled from the spacecraft to generate thrust. In electron guns, cathodes emit electrons that are focused into a beam and used for a variety of purposes, such as welding, cutting, and drilling. In cathode ray tubes, cathodes emit electrons that are accelerated by an electric field and strike a phosphorescent screen, creating a visible image.
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