Abstract: A temporary faceplate is bonded to an assembled (except for retina) vidicon ube. The tube is baked under vacuum pumping at high temperature to cause evaporation or outgassing of contaminants. After cooling, the tube is placed in an inert atmosphere and the temporary faceplate is exchanged for a pyroelectric faceplate. Vacuum is again pumped and the end of the tube containing the electron gun electrodes and the other electrodes is baked for degassing the electrodes. Still under vacuum pumping, the getters and the cathode of the electron gun are heated to activate them, the retina is activated with anode current by applying voltages to the electron gun and the acceleration electrodes by applying focus and sweep fields to the tube, the getters are fired, and the anode current is used to electron beam scrub the retina and other electrodes. Finally, the tube is tipped-off.

Abstract: A rugged retina is constructed for a vidicon having a rugged electron gun d other electrodes. The retina is prepared by mounting it between two thin flexible metal or metalized rings with a high viscosity liquid electrode between one of the rings and the retina. This prepared assembly is glued together and onto the vidicon faceplate with a pliant adhesive.

Abstract: A retina is provided for a pyroelectric vidicon which is rugged, long liv and has increased resistance to contamination by normal environments encountered during testing and subsequent installation in the vidicon tube.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a retina and mounting it in a pyroelectric vidicon s provided wherein the pyroelectric material is polished, etched and coated with metal on one broad side and with a dielectric layer on the opposite (electron beam) side.