Abstract: The electron multiplier device is operable in a substantial vacuum and comprises a cathode which emits electrons upon ion bombardment and an electron multiplier section adjacent the cathode for multiplying electrons emitted from the cathode. An output target surface is partially interposed in the path of the electrons near the output of the multiplier. A portion of the electrons released by the multiplier strike the output target surface causing ions to be emitted therefrom. The ions then feed back and bombard the cathode causing it to release more electrons, which in turn are multiplied thereby providing a buildup of electrons leaving the multiplier output. The output electrons may be controlled by an electron control section aligned with the multiplier near its output end.

Abstract: A chain of planar dynodes is divided into two groups which are spaced from and substantially parallel to each other. A cathode which is capable of emitting electrons upon ion bombardment is at one end of the dynode chain. An envelope encloses the dynodes and the cathode. Also enclosed by the envelope are a plurality of shields. Each shield is located so as to prevent gas ions, present within the envelope, from striking the dynodes, while allowing the ions to strike the cathode.

Abstract: The envelope of an image display device has front and rear walls spaced from one another with a cathodoluminescent screen on the front wall. Within the envelope are a plurality of electron beam guides parallel to the rear wall and a source of electrons at one end of the beam guide. Each beam guide has at least one electrode adjacent to and parallel to the rear wall. A plurality of spaced parallel wires arranged in a common plane are between the electrode and the front wall. An electrically conductive mesh is parallel to the plane of wires between the plane and the front wall. The mesh has a plurality of closely spaced apertures which are not greater than 26 microns wide in one dimension.

Abstract: An evacuated envelope has front and rear walls spaced apart by a plurality of side walls. On the inner surface of the front wall is a cathodoluminescent screen. A magnet structure extends along one of the side walls spaced therefrom and has two spaced poles each of which is parallel to the front wall. The magnet structure generates a uniform magnetic field between the two poles. An electron gun is within the envelope for generating and directing an electron beam into the space between one side wall and the magnet structure. Also included in the device is means for deflecting the electron beam so that it will pass between the poles of the magnet at a plurality of points along the magnet's length. The deflection means maintains a constant angle of incidence at which the electron beam enters the space between the two poles at various points. Means are also included for deflecting the electron beam towards the screen as it emerges from between the magnet poles.

Abstract: An evacuated envelope has a rectangular display section and a gun section at one edge of the display section. The display section includes front and back walls which are generally rectangular, in closely spaced, parallel relation, and a plurality of spaced, parallel support walls between the front and back walls forming a plurality of parallel channels. At one side of the display section is at least one keying channel which extends parallel to the channels of the display section. The gun section extends across one end of the channels and includes therein gun structure which will direct electrons into the channels.

Abstract: A digital memory may be addressed with an analog signal utilizing a circuit comprising a digital to analog converter. A comparator compares the output of the digital to analog converter to the analog address signal. The output of the comparator is coupled to means for incrementing and decrementing a digital number in response to that output. The digital number incrementing and decrementing means has an output which is coupled to the addressing input of the digital memory. Switch means alternately connects the input of the digital to analog converter to either the output of the random access memory or the output of the means for changing the digital number.

Abstract: In an image display, the video information may be keyed to the position of the electron beam by sensing the beam deflection voltage. A keying system utilizes means for generating a reference voltage which is proportional to the anode voltage and means for comparing the reference voltage to the deflection voltage for the electron beam. When a predetermined relationship between the two voltages, such as equality, is reached; the comparing means produces an output which indicates the deflected position of the electron beam. The output of the comparing means can be used to switch the video information to modulate the electron beam.

Abstract: An envelope of a display device includes a rear wall and a front wall having a cathodoluminescent screen thereon. Within the envelope are a plurality of electron beam guides and means for extracting electron beams out of the guide at various points. The electron beam guide comprises a first guide grid parallel to and spaced from the rear wall and a guide grid structure between the first grid and the front wall. Although there are unequal electric fields on the front and rear sides of the beam guide, the first guide grid and the guide grid structure maintain symmetry of the electric fields within the guide.

Abstract: An electron multiplier is formed between two spaced parallel substrates of electrically conductive material with a cathode at one end of the substrates. On opposed surfaces of the two substrates are dynodes, extraction electrodes, modulation electrodes, electrically conductive protrusions and deflection electrodes in that order going away from the cathode end. The dynodes form a conventional staggered dynode chain. The modulation electrode on one substrate is opposite a modulation electrode on the other substrate and both have a width equal to the distance between the substrates. The protrusions are similarly directly opposite one another. At the end of the substrates remote from the cathode is a deflection electrode on the tip of each substrate.

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 electron multiplier includes a plurality of staggered parallel dynodes. The dynodes include spaced confinement bumps along their lengths with active multiplying 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 to the output end. Each channel traverses the staggered parallel dynodes and causes an electron beam to pass therethrough without substantial spreading. The electron multiplier includes additional structure for creating a high gain condition in the channels which are desired to be in an "on" condition while simultaneously creating a low gain condition in the adjacent channels. Electrical potentials can be simply switched at the dynodes so as to change this first condition into a second condition where the relative gain parameters of the channels are reversed.

Abstract: An evacuated envelope has a rectangular display section and a gun section at one side of the display section. The display section includes rectangular front and back walls in closely spaced, substantially parallel relation, and a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel support walls between the front and back walls forming a plurality of parallel channels. The gun section extends across one end of the channels and includes gun structure which will selectively direct one or more electron beams along each of the channels. In each of the channels is a beam guide which utilizes "slalom focusing" to confine the electrons in a direction normal to the front and back walls and guide the beam along the length of the channel wherein the electron beam is confined to an undulating path along the channel. The beam guide also includes means for laterally confining the electrons in the beam.

Abstract: A line electron filament is provided which is cylindrically shaped and substantially uniform in cross section about its longitudinal axis. The filament can be of the type known as directly heated or of the type known as indirectly heated. The uniformity of the filament is obtained through cataphoretic deposition in a rotating cylindrical tube. The filament is useful as a cathode in a display which employs space charge limited emission operation.

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: The brightness signal for an image display device is digitally processed using an analog to digital converter to translate the signal into digital words. A primary shift register is connected to the output of the analog to digital converter. The primary shift register has a stage capable of containing a digital brightness word for each element in the display line of the device. The primary shift register has a plurality of parallel outputs being spaced X number of stages from each other. Each output is connected to a separate secondary shift register which has X stages.

Abstract: Electron beams in a cathodoluminescent display device are modulated utilizing a means for generating a voltage proportional to the instantaneous electrical charge on the cathodoluminescent screen and means for generating a periodic reference waveform having a peak voltage proportional to a sampling of the incoming video signal. A differential amplifier compares the voltage proportional to the electrical charge on the screen to the instantaneous voltage of the reference waveform. A regulator controls the flow of electrons to the screen so as to force the voltage which is proportional to the instantaneous screen charge to approximate the reference waveform voltage.

Abstract: A vacuum tube includes a cylindrical cathode around which a frusto-conical control grid extends. The control grid, which is made out of Phosnic bronze, has its larger diameter end attached to the smaller end of a first hollow truncated copper cone. A cylindrical Phosnic bronze screen grid extends coaxially around the control grid. One end of the screen grid is attached to the smaller diameter end of a second hollow truncated cone. The second cone extends around the first cone and is made out of a copper clad alloy of cobalt, nickel and iron. An anode encircles the screen grid.

Abstract: A method for depositing a layer in which the concentration of constituent materials varies through its thickness employs a radio frequency sputtering apparatus. The deposition apparatus has a target composed of different component materials for the layer. The substrate is placed within the deposition apparatus and moved to various positions with respect to the target during the deposition.

Abstract: A sheet containing the apertures to be filled is coated with a layer of crystalline material. A localized heat source heats small portions of the layer at a time. The crystalline material in each portion is melted and allowed to flow into the apertures. The localized heat source is then moved to heat a different portion of the crystalline layer. In this fashion the layer of crystalline material is scanned with the localized heat source so that the crystalline material melts, flows into the apertures to be filled and then recrystallizes.

Abstract: A flat panel display device has a cathodoluminescent screen which is bombarded by a flow of electrons. The screen becomes electrically charged due to the electron bombardment. The charge striking various points on the screen is directly related to the image brightness at those points. The flow of electrons to each point is modulated by sensing the electrical charge which strikes the screen's surface at each point and comparing it to the image brightness signal for the display. When a predetermined relationship between the charge and the signal exists, indicating that the proper brightness level has been reached, the electron flow is terminated. The sensing system may be multiplexed to reduce its complexity.