A new semiconductor ( possibly)

[zerotensor]

special tube-like magnetic field, similar to a 'magnetron'

The word that springs to mind is 'tube', as vacuum-tube technology predates semiconductor transistors (and magnetrons, for that matter...) by about half a century.

It's amusing that the plasma properties which were exploited for switching and amplification in the vacuum-tube era are enjoying a renewed interest late in the post-transistor era.

The solid-state revolution is nearly complete-- I predict that soon earth's population will revert to a new generation of plasma-state devices for a large variety of applications.

[madddann]

@zerotensor

"The solid-state revolution is nearly complete-- I predict that soon earth's population will revert to a new generation of plasma-state devices for a large variety of applications."

- I absolutely agree.

[spinner]

For a long time I have been scratching my head and thinking is there a way to have a power diode without the limitations of the exsisting technology.

One example is for instance you need to isolate many KVs. I was mainly thinking about gotoluc's Water fuel discovery and I never liked the strings of diodes.

Then I saw this video: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3grPo81fBrA

If the flow of plasma can be modulated by a magnet, we can in effect have a plasma transistor where the direction and density of the plasma through a tube ( such as a fluorescent lamp ) can be controlled by an electromagnet.

We would perhaps need a Y shaped tube for a transistor.

Plasma controlled device in a form of vacuum tubes were extensively used (and still are (!) for some specialties (mostly high power or super-fast power burst application)) in the past... (In a "pre-semiconductor" times...)

Google "Thyratron" - a gas tube for a high power rectification - with (electrically) controllable electrode(s).
A gas plasma capable of rectifying (and sustaining) many kiloAmperes (and kiloVolts). Switched on by a just a "low energy command".

Most of the today's basic semiconductor components (by functionality!) had a "vacuum tube" version predecessors...

If you ask me, a "string of HV diodes" is still the simplest method for HV rectification (assuming you're not dealing with hundreeds of kWatts..?)

[AhuraMazda]

Thanks for your inputs.
I don't think the transient responce offered by a power diode can match that of a switch operated by plasma.

I need to explan although I am not an expert in "valves", vaccume tubes work on the baisis of an electron cloud
which is not quite plasma!

Also, there is a new leap in the new semiconductor technology was made two years ago and perhaps it has got snapped up by the military.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=om2m-xs9dCE&feature=related

[pese]

special tube-like magnetic field, similar to a 'magnetron'

Magnetron is also not to use as an "gated" (grid) triode. .
Also you cant not change the cathode (or anode) current by
changing the flux in the magnet-field.
(I see, that was the idea)
i was think also, to do this, years ago...
Pese