Abstract: An image display device includes at least one display cell having the following in spaced relation: a photocathode; multiplier dynodes, an anode electrode; and a cathodoluminescent screen. In addition to an optical feedback fluorescent material, the anode electrode includes a material which exhibits slow fluorescence, e.g., Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 :Gd3%, such that it emits light energy for a finite time period after it has been excited by electrons. In the operation of the display device, an electrical discharge is employed to produce the desired optical output at the cathodoluminescent screen. Some of the electrons created in the discharge strike the anode electrode, causing light energy to be directed to the photocathode where it is converted into free electrons. The presence of these free electrons ensures the rapid initiation of subsequent electrical discharges. In other embodiments, the electrical discharge may be obtained through ion feedback or plasma discharge.

Abstract: An evacuated envelope has spaced, substantially parallel flat front and back walls. Along the front wall is a phosphor screen and along the back wall are electron beam guides for guiding beams of electrons along paths substantially parallel to the front wall. The beam guide includes a pair of spaced, parallel plates between which the beams pass and a plurality of aligned openings in the plates with the openings being arranged in rows extending along the paths of the beams. A gun structure which includes at least one cathode is provided at one end of the beam guide plates. The gun structure is adapted to generate the electrons and direct the electrons as beams between the beam guide plates. The beam guide plates have tabs extending from the one end toward the cathode with the tabs being positioned at the ends of the rows of the openings in the plates. The tabs are adapted to generate electrostatic fields which guide the beams from the cathode between the plates along the rows of the openings.

Abstract: An electron multiplier includes a plurality of staggered parallel dynodes disposed between two insulating vanes. The dynodes are disposed between a cathode at one end and a high energy electron filter at the other end. The electron filter includes at least two staggered filter bodies which extend into the space between the vanes. Each of the filter bodies extends slightly more than one-half the distance between the vanes so as to provide no straight path therethrough for high energy electrons, i.e., the filter is optically opaque. Between the dynodes closest to the cathode and the electron filter is a transition region. The transition region includes transition dynodes, having unequal widths and unequal spacings, and steering electrodes. In multiplier operation, the transition region functions to steer low energy electrons around the electron filter.

Abstract: An electron discharge tube comprising a plenum having therein a photocathode, an anode, a plurality of spaced apart dynodes, each having an input aperture and an output aperture, the dynodes arranged so as to concatenate electron emissions from the photocathode to the anode, and a conductive mesh overlying each input aperture, is improved by providing non-uniform openings in the mesh whereby relatively greater electrostatic shielding is provided for the dynode surface proximate to the output aperture of a preceding dynode.

Abstract: An evacuated tube has a face plate and a tubular body with at least a portion of the body having a circular cross section. In the evacuated tube is an electron emissive electrode adapted to release electrons in response to impinging photons or photoelectrons, means for collecting the electrons and an anode. The electron emissive electrode is cup shaped, having an approximate circular top opening through which photons or photoelectrons enter to impinge on the electrode, a circular rim around the periphery of the top opening, and a side opening through which the electrons pass to exit from the electrode. The inside of the electrode is lined with electron emissive material.

Abstract: An evacuated envelope includes a transparent front panel having a cathodoluminescent screen thereupon and a back panel interconnectably sealed to the front panel. The back has a plurality of cathode stripes thereon. A plurality of vanes, spaced from and parallel to each other, extend between the front and back panels orthogonal to the cathode stripes. Electrodes to control the operation of the device are formed directly on the vanes. Any two adjacent vanes form an electron multiplier in which a self sustaining source of electrons is created only at a location along the vanes which is determined by the proper energizing of the cathode stripe at that location.

Abstract: A dynode assembly having a given length and a field electrode assembly having the same given length are disposed in a vacuum envelope. The dynode assembly is in a first plane parallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the envelope and the field electrode assembly is disposed in a second plane parallel to and spaced from the axis in a direction opposite to the spacing of the dynode assembly. The dynode assembly receives on its input end input electrons produced by an input signal which may be either electrical or optical. The field electrode assembly is shifted along the axis with respect to the dynode assembly such that the output end of the field electrode assembly extends beyond the output end of the dynode assembly such that lines of equal potential between the two assemblies form an angle .theta. with the first and second planes.

Abstract: 1. An electron multiplier mosaic structure comprising:A plurality of alternate layers of uniform metallic and insulating material;An intermediate coating of metallic bonding material joining each adjacent layer in a solid unitary structure;A plurality of closely spaced apertures formed through said layers and arranged in a regular pattern on the opposite ends of said structure, each said aperture forming a continuous smooth interior surface between said ends, the metallic layer portions of said surface having secondary emission characteristics.

Abstract: An electron multiplier includes a plurality of staggered parallel dynodes. The dynodes include spaced confinement bumps along their lengths with active areas between the bumps. The confinement bumps and active areas therebetween define a plurality of channels which extend from a cathode at one end of the multiplier. Each channel traverses the staggered parallel dynodes and causes an electron beam to pass therethrough without spreading. The multiplier is useful in a display device which includes a plurality of line sources of electrons, e.g., a plurality of cathode stripes.

Abstract: A color cathode ray tube having a screen with concentric phosphor ring patterns and an electron multiplying channel plate between the screen and the electron gun, the channel plate including a focusing control electrode having a constant focusing action.

Abstract: The structure comprises an evacuated envelope that includes a transparent front panel having a cathodoluminescent screen thereon and a back panel interconnectably sealed to the front panel. A plurality of first vanes, spaced from and parallel to each other, are perpendicular to and in contact with the back panel and a plurality of second vanes, spaced from and parallel to each other, are perpendicular to and in contact with the front panel. The first and second vanes are transverse to each other and provide mutual support for each other. Electroding to control operation of the device is formed directly on the vanes.

Abstract: A cathodoluminescent image display device utilizes a cold cathode as the source of electrons. The cold cathode comprises a photocathode, an electron multiplier and a fluorescent anode. The structure of the cathode is such that a portion of the light given off by the fluorescent anode is free to feedback and impinge upon the photocathode. The cold cathode disclosed herein is thus a closed loop device having a loop gain G. The electron multiplier has a gain G.sub.m such that the loop gain G of the device is maintained at a value greater than or equal to one thus causing a sustained electron discharge.

Abstract: A plurality of parallel, planar, area electron multipliers are mounted on a substrate having a plurality of electrical conductors in a coded pattern and a planar electron source thereon. Each multiplier comprises a plurality of dynode members, at least one of which is addressable, for controlling the generation of a linear electron beam which defines one video line in a flat image display device. Random or sequential generation of video lines is accomplished by generating unique combinations of electron repelling and accelerating voltages which are applied to the addressable dynode members through the coded electron conductors.

Abstract: A metal sheet is provided with a plurality of slots which are disposed in parallel rows and columns. Charge sensing pads are disposed on an insulating layer on one surface of the metal sheet with a separate pair of the charge sensing pads being in abutting relation and sandwiching a separate slot. The sensing pads have a capacitance to the metal sheet such that they can be electrically charged to a common voltage level which permits a substantially uniform maximum electrical charge to pass into each one of the slots when the abutting sensing pads are discharged by line electron sources. The charge sensing pads may be repetitively charged, i.e., brought back to the common voltage level, through resistive leakage to a body at that common voltage. A plurality of substantially parallel modulating electrodes are disposed on, but insulated from, the other surface of the metal sheet. Each one of the modulating electrodes extends around one of the parallel columns of slots.

Abstract: A metal sheet is provided with a plurality of slots which are disposed in parallel rows and columns. Charge sensing pads are disposed on an insulating layer on one surface of the metal sheet with a separate pair of the charge sensing pads being in abutting relation and sandwiching a separate slot. The sensing pads include a portion which extends beyond the length of the slot and is of a material having a high secondary emission ratio. The sensing pads have a capacitance to the metal layer such that they can be electrically charged to a common voltage level which permits a substantially uniform maximum electrical charge to pass into each one of the slots when the abutting sensing pads are discharged by line electron sources. The charge sensing pads may be repetitively charged, i.e., brought back to the common level, through secondary emission from the portions of the pads which extend beyond the slots.

Abstract: A circuit device for electron multipliers, especially photomultiplier tub in which the amplification is varied by switching the number of active dynodes. Sensitivity ranges from diode-mode up to a multiplier with full number of dynodes. The signal is taken from the last active dynode, and from the cathode in diode-mode. Any switchable dynode is provided with its own load resistor inserted between the relevant dynode and a dynode voltage divider. An amplifier connected to the last active dynode and to the dynode voltage divider provides a feedback that compensates for voltage drops at the next lower dynodes due to the finite impedance of the dynode voltage divider. The circuit device features fast signal risetime, high linearity and wide dynamic signal range together with high DC-current capability and clean transient response. Applications are transient-spectrophotometers where high signal-to-noise ratios are needed, accurate pulse-height-analysis, etc. The device may be constructed as a self-contained unit.

Abstract: A channel plate with color selection electrodes and color phosphors for use an an image display screen in a color television tube.This is a division of application Ser. No. 288,597 filed Sept. 13, 1972, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,849.