Abstract: A discharge tube of the type wherein a voltage is applied across a pair of electrodes to cause a discharge between the anode side electrode and the cathode side electrode. In the new discharge tube, opposing end portions of the pair of electrodes are formed into a non-acute configuration, and a large number of concave or convex portions are formed on a surface at least of the cathode side electrode. A stabilized high discharge voltage can be obtained from an initial stage of discharging with a comparatively small distance between the electrodes. Further, since the surface area of the electrodes is great, exhaustion of the electrodes are dispersed, and the electrodes are superior in durability. Further, since the distance between the electrodes is small, the discharge maintaining voltage is low and the energy loss is decreased.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a silicon carbide whisker comprising heating a reaction zone to a temperature in the range of 1,000.degree. C. to 1,200.degree.; supplying a reducing or inactive gas and a sulfur-containing organic siloxane compound; thermally decomposing in vapor phase to react silicon and carbon contained in the sulfur-containing organic siloxane compound by a gaseous phase reaction and recovering a silicon carbide whisker, characterized in that the sulfur promotes the reaction between the silicon and the carbon.