In estimating the frequency of oscillation of a positive-grid oscillator, it is usually. assumed that the space charge effect is negligible. Under this assumption, the potential distribution in the space between the plane-parallel electrodes is linear. Thus the electric field in the space is uniform and the average velocity of electron flight can be used to evaluate the frequency of oscillation. The presence of space charge affects the potential distribution in space so that the electric field in this region is no more constant. Hence more exact formula must be used to compute the frequency of oscillation. The calculation is further complicated by the fact that the anode potential is usually made slightly negative with respect to the cathode. In this case, the location of the virtual cathode at which the electrons turn back does not coincide with that if a straight line potential distribution were assumed. The predicated frequency of oscillation is about 10-20 percent lower than that if space charge were neglected.
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