Electroacoustic transducer with axial electric field

An electroacoustic transducer for generating an audible acoustic signal in response to an input control signal, the transducer comprising:

• a base;
• a cathode having a plurality of cathode discharge elements arranged into an array of cathode discharge elements disposed around an axis associated with the cathode and mounted on the base;
• an anode having a plurality of anode discharge elements arranged into an array of anode discharge elements disposed around an axis associated with the anode and mounted on the base;
• an inter-electrode space separating the cathode and the anode;
• a first circuit portion configured to connect the cathode to a voltage source;
• and
• a second circuit portion configured to connect the anode to the voltage source;
• wherein the cathode discharge elements and the anode discharge elements extend from the base toward the inter-electrode space,
• wherein the respective arrays of the cathode and anode are opposite of each other with respect to the inter-electrode space and are axisymmetric such that the cathode axis is aligned with the anode axis, and
• wherein at least one of the cathode and anode is configured to generate the audible acoustic signal when connected to the voltage source.