Open Source Nuclear Fusion. Mercury-arc valve. A mercury-arc valve or mercury-vapor rectifier or (UK) mercury-arc rectifier[1][2] is a type of electrical rectifier used for converting high-voltage or high-current alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC).
It is a type of cold cathode gas discharge tube but is unusual in that the cathode, instead of being solid, is made from a pool of liquid mercury and is therefore self-restoring. As a result, mercury-arc valves were much more rugged, long-lasting and could carry much higher currents than most other types of gas discharge tube. High school fusion reactor. Building the Open Source Bussard Fusion Reactor.