Abstract: A holder for a personal computer that is utilized in a vehicle. The holder includes a tray support device rigidly mounted to the vehicle framing. A tray is slidingly connected to the tray support device. A tilt device holds the tray at a downward tilt for improved viewing. When the holder is closed the tray is retained within the tray support device. When the holder is opened the tray is tilted downward and the tray is supported by the tilt device. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle is an aircraft and the vehicle framing is aircraft instrument panel framing. In a preferred embodiment, the holder is installed within an avionics stack. Also, in a preferred embodiment the personal computer is a touch screen tablet personal computer.

Abstract: A cathode system includes an impregnated pellet and a conductive cup, which has substantially cylindrical sides. The conductive cup has an open end sized to receive the impregnated pellet and a closed end. The closed end has an internal surface and an external surface. The cathode system also includes a second conductive cup. The second conductive cup also has substantially cylindrical sides, an open end and a closed end. The cathode system further includes a similar third conductive cup. The three conductive cups are electrically coupled together. For construction of the cathode, the first conductive cup receives the impregnated pellet following coupling of the three conductive cups.

Abstract: A cathode system includes an impregnated pellet and a conductive cup, which has substantially cylindrical sides. The conductive cup has an open end sized to receive the impregnated pellet and a closed end. The closed end has an internal surface and an external surface. The cathode system also includes a second conductive cup. The second conductive cup also has substantially cylindrical sides, an open end and a closed end. The cathode system further includes a similar third conductive cup. The three conductive cups are electrically coupled together. For construction of the cathode, the first conductive cup receives the impregnated pellet following coupling of the three conductive cups.

Abstract: Outgassed materials liberated in spaces between pointed field emitter tips and an electrode structure during electrical operation of a field emitter device are vented through passageways to a pump or gettering material provided in a separate space. The passageways may include channels formed through an insulating layer between a base for the field emitters, and the electrode structure, with the channels interconnecting adjacent spaces in a row direction. Where the electrode structure includes a gate electrode layer and an anode layer, similar channels may be formed through an insulator layer provided therebetween. The field emitters may be formed in an arrangement of rows and columns, with the spacing between the columns smaller than the spacing between the rows. Holes are formed by anisotropic etching through the anode, gate electrode, and insulator layers down to the base.

Abstract: A low work function surface for a dispenser cathode structure. The cathode structure comprising a heater and an electron emitting surface substrate or core composed of a porous tungsten matrix impregnated with a barium containing impregnant distributed therethrough. The structure is made by a method in which a nanometer thick layer of scandium oxide is sputtered onto the outermost surface of the impregnated tungsten core, or substrate, and then oxidized by exposing the sputtered scandium oxide surface layer to an oxygen atmosphere. The oxidized surface layer is activated by turning on the heater, for example, to cause the release of a small portion of the barium in the barium-containing impregnant. Some of the released barium migrates into the scandium oxide surface layer to form a monolayer of barium oxide on at least a portion thereof.

Abstract: Outgassed materials liberated in spaces between pointed field emitter tips and an electrode structure during electrical operation of a field emitter device are vented through passageways to a pump of gettering material provided in a separate space. The passageways may include channels formed through an insulating layer between a base for the field emitters, and the electrode structure, with the channels interconnecting adjacent spaces in a row direction. Where the electrode structure includes a gate electrode layer and an anode layer, similar channels may be formed through an insulator layer provided therebetween. The field emitters may be formed in an arrangement of rows and columns, with the spacing between the columns smaller than the spacing between the rows.

Abstract: A low work function surface for a dispenser cathode structure. The cathode structure comprising a heater and an electron emitting surface substrate or core composed of a porous tungsten matrix impregnated with a barium containing impregnant distributed therethrough. The structure is made by a method in which a nanometer thick layer of scandium oxide is sputtered onto the outermost surface of the impregnated tungsten core, or substrate, and then oxidized by exposing the sputtered scandium oxide surface layer to an oxygen atmosphere. The oxidized surface layer is activated by turning on the heater, for example, to cause the release of a small portion of the barium in the barium-containing impregnant. Some of the released barium migrates into the scandium oxide surface layer to form a monolayer of barium oxide on at least a portion thereof.

Abstract: A plurality of field emitters in the form of hollow, upstanding pointed cones or pyramids formed by a molding process extend from a surface of an electrically conductive layer. An electrically conductive mesh is adhered to an opposite surface of the conductive layer by a high temperature brazing process in electrical connection with the conductive layer. The mesh provides a strong metal base with good thermal conductivity for mounting. Additional elements such as a gate and anode structure may be formed on the conductive layer in alignment with the field emitters to form a field emitting triode array or the like.

Abstract: Conical field emitter elements are formed on a surface of a substrate after which a layer of metal is deposited on top of the substrate surface and over the field emitter elements. A layer of oxide is then deposited over the metal layer. Another layer of metal is deposited over the layer of oxide to form a gate metal layer. A layer of photoresist is then deposited over the gate metal layer. The layer of photoresist is then plasma etched in an oxygen atmosphere to cause portions of the photoresist above respective field emitter elements to be removed and provide self-aligned holes in the photoresist over each of the field emitter elements. The size of the holes may be controlled by appropriately controlling process parameter, including plasma etching time and power and/or initial photoresist thickness. The exposed gate metal layer is etched using the layer of photoresist as a mask. The photoresist layer is removed, and the layer of oxide is etched to expose the field emitter elements.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring gas pressures in vacuum type devices such as traveling-wave tubes is disclosed including an elongated hollow tube with negatively biased electrodes at each end. An axial magnetic field is induced in the chamber, and electrons are injected into the chamber and caused to travel in a confined beam substantially longitudinally between the two electrodes. Electrons will randomly hit gas molecules within the chamber and be deflected outwardly in stepped fashion to the wall of the tube. Electrons impinging upon the tube wall form a current dependent upon the gas pressure within the chamber. A current meter attached to the tube and calibrated as a function of pressure indicates the gas pressure.

Abstract: A digital navigation instrument primarily intended for the general aviation pilot. The navigation instrument combines the functions of a calculator and a stopwatch and provides a method of easy reference to a navigation chart. The resulting unit provides ease of data entry from the navigation chart and ease of alternation between time interval measurement and arithmetic calculations.