Abstract: Image scanning apparatus, such as an image pickup device with a photo cathode in a vacuum system or a flat display device with a thermal cathode, having at least one hole matrix for row and column control of the electron stream between its cathode and anode, and at least two separately controllable electrodes for controlling the rows and columns of each row of holes of the hole matrix, the electrodes being arranged in separate planes and tied together in jointly controllable groups permitting a small distance between the cathode and the anode thereby providing a flat camera or display in a television system.