What is "control grid"

n. an electrode placed between the cathode and anode of a vacuum tube to control the flow of electrons through the tube [syn: grid]

The control grid is an electrode used in amplifying thermionic valves (vacuum tubes) such as the triode, tetrode and pentode, used to control the flow of electrons from the cathode to the anode (plate) electrode. The control grid usually consists of a cylindrical screen or helix of fine wire surrounding the cathode, and is surrounded in turn by the anode. The control grid was invented by Lee De Forest, who in 1906 added a grid to the Fleming valve ( thermionic diode) to create the first amplifying vacuum tube, the Audion ( triode).