Abstract: The present imaging system, like prior imaging systems, includes an electron tube and an external solenoid which is disposed around a portion of the tube. An electron gun within the tube has a plurality of support beads located substantially symmetrically around the gun. Each of the beads comprises a body of insulating material having a first major surface and an oppositely disposed second major surface. A recess is formed in the first major surface and extends into the body of the material. A plurality of connectors corresponding to the number of supports beads are also provided. Each of the connectors comprises a single piece of metal having a proximal end, a distal end and a central body interconnecting both ends. The proximal end of each connector includes an embossment which conforms to the curvature of the leads which extend through a stem assembly of the tube.

Abstract: A pickup tube includes a generally cylindrical envelope having an input window at one end of the envelope and a radiation sensitive target adjacent to the input window. An electron gun is mounted in the other end of the envelope for generating an electron beam which is incident on the target. A mesh assembly is spaced from the target and in proximity therewith. The mesh assembly comprises a mesh electrode disposed between a mesh support ring and a novel mesh retaining ring. The novel mesh retaining ring has a mesh contact portion and a peripheral skirt portion which is disposed substantially orthogonally to the mesh contact portion. The skirt portion is directed toward the target for modifying the electrostatic field between the mesh electrode and the target so as to reduce beam landing error on the target and to prevent electrons, which are reflected from the target, from landing on the mesh retaining ring.

Abstract: An improved image pickup tube has an insulating envelope with precisely formed inside and outside surfaces. The inside surface of the envelope has a diameter the midpoint of which lies on a longitudinally extending first mechanical axis. An electron gun is aligned with the first mechanical axis. The precisely formed outside surface of the envelope is substantially coaxial with the inside surface. The outside surface has a diameter the midpoint of which lies on a second mechanical axis that is substantially coincident with the first mechanical axis and the optical axis.

Abstract: An improved image pickup tube has an insulating envelope with precisely formed inside and outside surfaces. The inside surface of the envelope has a diameter the midpoint of which lies on a longitudinally extending first mechanical axis. An electron gun is aligned with the first mechanical axis. The precisely formed outside surface of the envelope is substantially coaxial with the inside surface. The outside surface has a diameter the midpoint of which lies on a second mechanical axis that is substantially coincident with the first mechanical axis and the optical axis.

Abstract: A pickup tube such as a vidicon has an improved structure for precisely aligning a mesh support electrode relative to a focus electrode. The structure comprises a plurality of focus electrode embossments extending radially outward from the focus electrode and a plurality of mesh support electrode embossments extending radially inward from the mesh support electrode. An insulating ring is molded in situ between the focus electrode embossments and the mesh support electrode embossments. The focus electrode embossments and the mesh support electrode embossments are embedded into the insulating ring.