Abstract: A phototube includes a cup-shaped apertured electrode interposed between a substantially flat cathode and an electron collection electrode. Anapertured electrode is coaxially secured within the recess of the cup-shaped electrode in parallel spaced-apart facing relation to the cathode.

Abstract: Photoelectrons emitted from a flat photocathode are collected within an evacuated envelope by a surface of an electrode. The photoelectrons are accelerated by an electron lens system, as an electron stream, within an evacuated cavity between the photocathode and the electrode surface. The photoelectrons are accelerated through two succeeding cavity regions in which the electron trajectories associated with the electron stream are increasingly compressed. A cavity region of lessening compression of the electron trajectories associated with the electron stream is defined between the two cavity regions of increasing compression. The electrode surface is located closely proximate to the cavity region of greatest compression to collect a maximum number of the photoelectrons.