Abstract: A hollow cathode discharge tube is used for atomic absorption analysis. The tube has a cathode which includes a first hollow portion and a second hollow portion connected to each other. The second hollow portion has a diameter greater than the first hollow portion and a close end. Inserted through the closed end is a rod-like anode which has a part within the hollow space of the cathode. There is a auxiliary electrode which can be an auxiliary anode that surrounds the rod-like anode and is insulated therefrom. There is an additional electrode which can be an auxiliary cathode at the front end portion of the cathode. The cathode is formed of a material that is a material or includes a material that is to be analyzed.

Abstract: In the micro vacuum device according to the present invention, an electron emitter is formed into a thin film form on a thin film heater rising in midair by means of air bridge, or a thin film heater is formed as an electron emitter, and the electron emitter is provided adjacent to a gate with a space therebetween so that field emission of electrons is easily effected, or the electron emitter is heated so that thermoelectrons are easily emitted.

Abstract: A vacuum transistor having an optical gate in which an optical signal is radiated from the optical gate. The transistor has a silicon substrate; an insulating layer deposited on said silicon substrate, the insulating layer having a recess portion formed by an etching method; an optical source for radiating the optical signal and serving as said optical gate; and two electrodes formed on said insulating layer and separated from each other under a vacuum or an atmosphere. One of the electrodes receives the optical signal and is an electron emitting electrode for emitting electrons, and the other electrode is an electron collecting electrode for collecting the electrons emitted from said electron emitting electrode. The electron emitting electrode is formed beneath said optical source under a vacuum or an atmosphere and is connected to ground; and said electron collecting electrode is connected to a power source.

Abstract: A non-power generating current limiting device such as a field effect transistor is provided to output a regulated current in dependence upon a control voltage. An electron field emitter is connected to a drain or output of the non-power generating current limiting device to receive the regulated current. A tip of the electron field emitter emits electrons towards a collector anode. An extractor gate can be provided between the electron field emitter and the collector anode to control the rate of electron emission from the electron field emitter. Because the non-power generating current limiting device regulates the current to the electron field emitter, a maximum current output of the electron field emitter is limited to the regulated current from the voltage controlled current source. The electron field emitter is thus protected from destruction due to excess current. The non-power generating current limiting device can also be used to modulate electron emission from the field emitter.

Abstract: A gas tube protector includes a new coating for the electrodes. The coating, which eliminates the need for conditioning the electrodes prior to using or testing the protector, includes barium titanate and titanium.

Abstract: A flat cold cathode fluorescent lamp include front and rear plates separated by spacers. A phosphor layer is formed on each upper side of a spacer in contact with a phosphor layer of the front plate, and an auxiliary electrode is provided lengthwise on each lower side of the spacer, thereby realizing uniformly luminous pictures.

Abstract: An electron emission elements integrated substrate comprising a substrate having a plurality of minute holes formed therein. Each hole extends in a direction of thickness of the substrate. An electron emission element is arranged in the each hole. The element comprises a first electrode, a second electrode and an insulating member disposed between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The disclosed flat panel field emitter display (FPFED) comprises a first impedance that carries all of the current to all of the micropoint emitters of one or more (preferably one, typically fewer than about five, always fewer than all the pixels of a given row or column of the display) pixels. Provision of the first impedance can provide self-compensation to the involved pixel, making it possible to substantially reduce the required number of micropoint emitters/pixel and color. This in turn can lead to increased speed of the display, and/or to lower power consumption. The first impedance advantageously is a capacitor rather than a resistor, and embodiments that comprise a capacitive first impedance are disclosed. Other advantageous optional features are also disclosed. These include provision of gate impedances, of photoconductive elements, of an auxiliary gate electrode, or of gettering means.

Abstract: A cold cathode device includes a first electrode formed on a substrate, an insulating film formed on the first electrode, a thin film formed on the insulating film and for generating hot electrons, a second electrode formed on the thin film. Electrons are injected from the second electrode at a first half cycle of each cycle of an a.c. voltage. The injected electrons form a space charge layer between the insulating film and the thin film. At a second half cycle of each cycle, the hot electrons are generated from the electrons stored in the space charge layer inside of the thin film, and emitted from the second electrode.

Abstract: A triode having a coaxially positioned cathode and grid or gate electrode positioned within an evacuated tubular anode. The cathode has a plurality of emitting points radially disposed on its outer surface. The emitting points are surrounded by a plurality of grid or gate electrodes controlling the conducted beam current between the inner cathode and the surrounding anode. The gain and power of the triode is only limited by the number of emitter points and the number of grid or gate electrodes positioned within the anode. Since the anode envelopes the cathode and grid electrode, the anode can be used as a waveguide or antenna launch without the need of RF coupling connectors.

Abstract: A microminiature vacuum tube and a process for fabrication thereof. The tube is formed on a compound semiconductor substrate using solid state semiconductor fabrication techniques. A straight line path for electron flow is provided by forming an emitter and collector in the same plane. The emitter and collector are formed in a low resistance layer of a compound semiconductor substrate, such as by etching a recess through the low resistance layer and into the substrate to define a separate emitter and collector. Preferential etching techniques are utilized to form a sharp-edge in at least the emitter portion of the recess. A gate is formed in the recess proximate to but out of the plane for electron flow. The use of microminiature solid state fabrication technique allows the recess to be formed at submicron size to reduce the voltage requirements on the microminiature vacuum tube.

Abstract: A gas-discharge switch contains at least two main electrodes for a low-pressure gas discharge. A distance d between the main electrodes and the pressure p of a working gas are selected so as to allow the igniting voltage to diminish with a rising product p.times.d. According to the present invention, a hollow electrode, which is connected to a trigger voltage source, is allocated to the discharge gap. The main electrode facing the hollow electrode is provided with a central opening. Between this opening and the hollow electrode, a baffle plate for the ion current flow of the low-pressure gas discharge is configured with a pre-set clearance from the surface of the main electrode.

Abstract: A gas-discharge switch for a low-pressure gas discharge contains at least two main electrodes. A distance d between the main electrodes and the pressure p of a working gas are selected so as to allow the igniting voltage to diminish with a rising product p.times.d. A hollow electrode, which is connected to a trigger voltage source, is allocated to the discharge gap. This hollow electrode is connected via an an anode resistor to the anode. Preferably, the hollow electrode can be additionally connected via a resistor to the cathode. With this refinement of the firing device, one achieves a pre-ionization inside the hollow electrode and a corresponding simplification of the firing device.

Abstract: A field emission device is set forth for providing selected bi-directional transport of charge carriers.

Abstract: A field emission device is set forth for providing a current-regulating and potential equilibrium function.

Abstract: Disclosed are high electrical charge density entities, generated in electrical discharge production. Apparatus for isolating the high charge density entities, selecting them and manipulating them by various guide techniques are disclosed. Utilizing such apparatus, the paths followed by the entities may be switched, or selectively varied in length, for example, whereby the entities may be extensively manipulated. Additional devices are disclosed for the manipulation and exploitation of these entities, including their use with a camera and also in an oscilloscope.

Abstract: Disclosed are self-contained high electrical charge density entities, generated in electrical discharge production. Apparatus for isolating the high charge density entities, selecting them and manipulating them by various guide techniques are disclosed. Utilizing such apparatus, the paths followed by the entities may be switched, or selectively varied in length, for example, whereby the entities may be extensively manipulated. Additional devices are disclosed for the manipulation and exploitation of these entities, including their use with a camera and also in an oscilloscope, as well as their use in generating RF radiation. A flat panel display is disclosed which is operated by these charge entities, up to the point of their generating electrons to strike a phosphor screen.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method for obtaining energy from high electrical charge density entities. The energy may be received by the conductor of a traveling wave device positioned along the path which the propagating entities follow. Multiple traveling wave devices may be combined. Energy output from a traveling wave device may also be directed to the generation of a subsequent such entity. Thermal energy may also be obtained from an EV.

Abstract: The switch has a gas discharge chamber, in which two electrodes, namely a cathode (11) and an anode (12), are contained, which are spaced a distance (d) apart and are separted from each order by an electrically insulating wall (9a) made of ceramic material or of glass. The cathode (11) is formed with a hole (5). The electrodes (11, 12) are joined to the insulating wall (9a) by a tight metal-ceramic joint or fused joint. The gas discharge chamber is filled with an ionizable low-pressure gas under such a pressure p that the product p.times.d has such a value that a gas discharge between the electrodes (11, 12) will be fired in response to a voltage applied thereof which is disposed in that branch of the firing voltage-pressure characteristic in which the firing voltage descreases as the pressure rises.

Abstract: A solid state field emission device having a cathode that is peripherally disposed about the anode and axially displaced with respect thereto. The device itself is encapsulated, readily manufacturable, and has comparable operating properties, vis-a-vis one another when manufactured in quantity.

Abstract: Disclosed are high electrical charge density entities, generated in electrical discharge production. Apparatus for isolating the high charge density entities, selecting them and manipulating them by various guide techniques are disclosed. Utilizing such apparatus, the paths followed by the entities may be switched, or selectively varied in length, for example, whereby the entities may be extensively manipulated. Additional devices are disclosed for the manipulation and exploitation of these entities, including their use with a camera and also in an oscilloscope.

Abstract: Disclosed are self-contained high electrical charge density entities, generated in electrical discharge production. Apparatus for isolating the high charge density entities, selecting them and manipulating them by various guide techniques are disclosed. Utilizing such apparatus, the paths followed by the entities may be switched, or selectively varied in length, for example, whereby the entities may be extensively manipulated. Additional devices are disclosed for the manipulation and exploitation of these entities, including their use with a camera and also in an oscilloscope, as well as their use in generating RF radiation. A flat panel display is disclosed which is operated by these high charge entities, up to the point of their generating electrons to strike a phosphor screen.

Abstract: A novel vacuum tube type of electric apparatus preferably utilizes cold cathode emission to provide an electron source. A grid element is employed to vary path direction for the particles, which are directed to alternative positions of an anode element. Secondary electron emission from a portion of the anode is utilized to permit the anode potential to rise upon electron impingement, while a second portion of the anode retains electrons to drive the anode potential in the negative sense. The structure allows both positive and negative states to be maintained, and has value in both rapid switching and memory application. The tube is advantageous manufactured on an insulating substrate which may be drawn to microscopic dimensions. This permits a dense pack to be accomplished, with low power requirements and high operating speed.

Abstract: A cold cathode device wherein a cold cathode and an anode face each other with an electron transit path intermediated therebetween, and one or more control electrodes structurally insulated from the said cathode and the anode, are provided exposing to the electron transit path. A cold cathode vacuum tube has an electron emission element having a p-type semiconductor region on an electron emission side and a work function lowering region with junctional relation to the p-type semiconductor region; and a plate electrode structurally insulated from the electron emission element by using an insulation layer which is formed with an electron transmit path corresponding in position to an electron emission area of the electron emission element.

Abstract: A field emission device wherein two collecting electrodes are provided to selectively collect electrons that are emitted from an emitting electrode as induced by a gate electrode.

Abstract: Electron source with micropoint emissive cathodes and display means by cathodoluminescence excited by field emission and using said source. Each cathode (5) comprises an electrically conductive layer (22) and micropoints (12) and, according to the invention, a continuous resistive layer (24) is provided between the conductive layer and the micropoints. The display means comprises a cathodoluminescent anode (16) facing the source.

Abstract: A device is provided for detecting defects in wire or cable insulation which is located in a vacuum without disconnecting the cable by synchronously detecting the current in a sense conductor with respect to the potential waveform existing or imposed on the cable under test. A sense conductor and a scanned extended electron source having a linear cathode array are both placed in close proximity to and along the cable under test. Only a small portion of the cathodes in the linear array are excited at any one time and by placing the proper signals on the excitation conductors of the electron source, the electron generation scans or propagates along the entire length of the extended electron source. The current flowing in the sense conductor due to the electrons from the electron source varies depending upon the presence of defects in the cable insulation.

Abstract: A three-phase high-pressure gas discharge lamp comprising a discharge vessel (1) made of a translucent heat-resistant material. Three electrodes are arranged in the discharge vessel (1), each being fed from a separate phase of a three-phase supply system, each electrode including an electrode tip (7), an electrode stem (5) and an electrode head (6). The electrodes are arrnaged so that their electrode tips (7) occupy the vertices of an equilateral triangle fully enclosed in the discharge vessel (1). The discharge vessel (1) contains a filling consisting of a noble gas, mercury and a further additive selected from the group consisting of preferably sodium and a metal-halide.

Abstract: A gas discharge device includes means for injecting electrons into a high field region between an anode and a cathode structure located within a gas filled envelope. This causes ionisation within the region and triggers the device into conduction.

Abstract: A miniaturized field emitter vacuum tube device and method of making are described. The device includes a needle-shaped field emitter cathode, metal gate and electron collecting anode, which are enclosed by an insulating chamber which is evacuated. The gate electrode may be used to form the insulator-to-metal vacuum seal. Device isolation is achieved by using a highly resistive polycrystalline silicon film. A method of making a field emitter cathode tip is described in which two masking and etching steps form a pair of intersecting lines, the intersection point forming the cathode tip.

Abstract: A vacuum valve device comprises a substrate on which is formed an updoped silicon layer from which a silicon dioxide layer is grown. First, second and third electrode structures are formed on the silicon dioxide layer by depositing a metallic layer and etching away unwanted portions of the layer. The first electrode structure has a pointed end and/or a sharp edge and/or is formed of low work function material so that, when a suitable voltage is applied between the first and third electrode structures, electrons are emitted from the first electrode structure due to a field emission process. Electrons therefore flow from the first to the third electrode structure substantially parallel to the substrate. The second electrode structure acts as a control electrode.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a plurality of active devices each including a thermionic cathode or a cold cathode, an anode, and a grid element, all coplanarly disposed on an insulating substrate in a vacuum. A plurality of electrostatic lens elements also are exposed on the substrate to produce electric fields that control the trajectories of electrons emitted by the cathodes to prevent the electrons from migrating to and charging up exposed portions of the substrate and the inner surface of the vacuum envelope and thereby preventing such charge buildup from altering the electrical characteristics of the active devices.

Abstract: A surge voltage arrester wherein a pair of main electrodes are respectively fitted in a gastight fashion to both open ends of a hollow cylindrical body formed of insulating material, wherein the discharge planes of the main electrodes are set opposite to each other in a hollow cylindrical body wherein at least one electrically conductive member extends along the inner wall of the hollow cylindrical body in its circumferential direction and faces one of the main electrodes at a prescribed interval, wherein at least one narrow electrically conductive strip electrically connected to the electrically conductive member extends along the inner wall of the hollow cylindrical body in its axial direction and faces the other of the main electrodes at a prescribed interval, and finally wherein at least one external electrically conductive member extends along the outer wall of the hollow cylindrical body which is capacitively coupled to the electrically conductive member extending along the inner wall of the hollow cyli

Abstract: A discharge lamp of non-linear configuration employs a solid wire, internal starting aid and a mount which includes a third lead-in wire whereby the starting aid can be electrically connected into a circuit.

Abstract: An improved hermetically sealed gas tube surge arrester includes at least a pair of gap electrodes separated by an insulating spacer to form an electrode gap and a separate trigger electrode disposed about the region of the electrode gap for increasing the electrical field intensity in the region of the electrode gap. Preconditioning means is provided to direct an impulse voltage surge to the trigger electrode, prior to being impressed across the gap electrodes, thereby to precondition the electrode gap to breakdown at a relatively low impulse breakdown voltage.

Abstract: The invention provides a laser arrangement including in its discharge circuit a switching thyratron which is capable of conduction normally in one direction and protectively in the reverse direction. The thyratron has an anode formed as a hollow body which is adapted to retain plasma generated during a pulse of forward conduction so that the anode is provided to act as a cathode permitting protective reversal of the thyratron when this is subject to reversal of voltage.

Abstract: The lamp shown herein is a beam mode fluorescent lamp for general lighting applications. The lamp comprises a light transmitting envelope, having a phosphor coating on its inner surface, enclosing a thermionic cathode for emitting electrons, a pair of anodes for accelerating the electrons and forming electron beams, and a fill material, such as mercury, which emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation. The two anode configuration provides an extended region of electron beam excitation. In addition, a separate cathode heater filament is not required due to the anode configuration. As a result this lamp is operated with a single power source and only two conductors connecting the power source to the electrodes. This invention further provides a high degree of self-stabilization of discharge current by means of the twin parallel anode configuration.

Abstract: The lamp shown herein is a beam mode fluorescent lamp for general lighting applications. The lamp comprises a light transmitting envelope, having a phosphor coating in its inner surface, the envelope encloses a thermionic cathode having a number of segments for emitting electrons, a plurality of anodes for accelerating the electrons and forming a corresponding number of electron beams simultaneously in two directions, and a fill material, such as mercury, which emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation. The multi-electrode array configuration provides an extended region of electron beam excitation and thereby more visible light. A single power source and pair of connecting conductors provide both cathode heating current and electrode potential difference functions. In addition, this configuration provides for a greater and more complete discharge of the volume within the envelope than single electrode elements.

Abstract: An excess voltage arrester of the kind comprising a gas-filled enclosure having an electrode structure (1, 11, 13) within the enclosure which defines at least one discharge gap. A portion of at least one electrode (13) is adapted to melt on overheating of the arrester so as to take up a generally spherical form (19) under the action of surface tension and thereby contact another electrode (1).

Abstract: The lamp shown herein is a beam mode fluorescent lamp for general lighting applications. The lamp comprises a light transmitting envelope, having a phosphor coating on its inner surface, enclosing a single electrode including a thermionic cathode for emitting electrons and an integral anode for accelerating the electrons and forming an electron beam, and a fill material, such as mercury, which emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation. The electrode configuration provides for use of a single power source and minimal number of power leads. In addition, a separate cathode heater filament is not required.

Abstract: Surge voltage arrester with a gas-tight housing wherein two truncated cone-shaped electrodes are disposed respectively opposite one another and form a gap therebetween, the electrodes being received in opposite ends of a tubular insulating body and being formed with a bottom surface facing into the tubular insulating body and a lateral conical surface, including at least one strip of electrically conductive material serving as an ignition strip, said strip extending within the tubular body over part of the length thereof in direction from one to the other electrode, at least a part of the ignition strip terminating at a first distance opposite the lateral surface of the one electrode and at a second distance short of the bottom surface of the one electrode, at least one of the distances being shorter than the length of the gap.

Abstract: The apparatus includes three electrodes housed in a single enclosure which is filled with a gas. A first one of the electrodes is connected to the junction of a load and a fuse. A second one of the electrodes is connected to an intermediate point of the load, which intermediate point separates the load into two normally equal impedance segments. A third one of the electrodes is connected to the other end of the load. When either of the impedances of the two segments of the load changes sufficiently to cause a breakdown voltage between either the first and second electrodes or between the second and third electrodes to be exceeded, current flows between the first and third electrode thereby short-circuiting the load and causing the fuse to break.

Abstract: An improved spark gap device and configuration for coupling the device in circuit with equipment such as television receivers are disclosed. The spark gap device includes three conductive pads, the first and second of which are separated by a first gap. The third pad is separated from the other pads by a second gap which intersects the first gap. By coupling the first and second pads across A.C. power lines in the equipment, and by coupling the third pad to earth ground, the energy associated with a high voltage transient on the power lines causes the air in one of the gaps to ionize. Hence, a spark jumps the gap to shunt the transient energy to ground. The intersection of the gaps causes ionization to spread to the second gap and thereby provide an additional path to ground for the energy associated with the transient, thereby protecting components within the equipment.

Abstract: Gas-discharge surge arrester having two axially opposing main electrodes defining a discharge gap therebetween and a middle electrode coaxially and annularly surrounding the discharge gap and connected to the main electrodes, respectively, by a tubular insulating housing, at least one strip of electrically conductive material disposed on the inner surface of the tubular housing and extending over a part of the length thereof, including respective transition members disposed at the ends of the tubular insulating housing, the transition members respectively forming a part of the main electrodes, the main electrodes being double-cylindrically formed into steps inwardly and forming a discharge path, the middle electrode being formed as a hollow cylinder having a conically profiled outlet and forming a respective main discharge path with both of the main electrodes, the main electrodes and the middle electrode being mutually overlapping at a region whereat they are provided with an electrode activating material.

Abstract: Discharge apparatus comprises a xenon-filled glass envelope with a common cathode that divides the envelope into two separate gas-containing chambers. Respective anodes are provided in each chamber to cooperate with the common cathode. By placement of the cathode a closer distance to one of the anodes, the impedance of the discharge path between the more closely spaced electrodes is made lower than the impedance of the discharge path in the other chamber. To make the impedance even lower, the pressure of the gas between the closely spaced electrodes is made lower than the gas pressure between the other pair of electrodes. The discharge apparatus is particularly useful in quenchable electronic flash apparatus employing both a flash tube and a low-impedance quench tube.

Abstract: The lamp shown herein is a beam mode fluorescent lamp for general lighting applications. The lamp comprises a light transmitting envelope, having a phosphor coating on its inner surface, enclosing a pair of thermionic electrodes and a fill material, such as mercury, which emits ultraviolet radiation upon excitation. During application of the first polarity of an AC signal, one electrode acts as a cathode and the other electrode functions as an anode. During the other AC polarity, the electrodes reverse their functions. This invention reduces the requirement for input power to a beam mode discharge lamp without adversely affecting luminous output. This lamp substantially eliminates wasted electron bombardment energy to the anode by use of this energy to help heat the cathode for the next half of the AC cycle. This lamp employs a single power source and may be used in various pre-heat or rapid start configurations.

Abstract: A novel gap type surge absorber. The surge absorber comprises a plurality of conductive ceramic thin films formed on the surface of a molded insulating body and separated from each other by an extremely narrow gap, electrodes composed of a metallic material fixed to both ends of the plural conductive ceramic thin films and an inert gas sealed between the electrodes. The surge absorber is based on a two-stage discharge mechanism consisting of a discharge due to electrons emitted between the conductive ceramic thin films when a surge voltage is applied to the electrodes and a following creeping discharge generated between the electrodes. The surge absorber has a prolonged life and a good annealing characteristic as well as a very small discharge lag and a small electrostatic capacity and is excellent in cutting off a follow current.

Abstract: Dimensional stability of an electron discharge heating device having electrodes for focussing the discharge current is improved by providing one or more heat pipes for transferring heat from an electrode to cooling fins outside the vacuum chamber. In one embodiment, a second electrode is water-cooled. The improved cooling not only permits of use of a structure which takes a short time to reach thermally stable conditions due to the small heat capacity of the solid material but also permits of different parts of the gun assembly being operated at different temperatures.

Abstract: A surge voltage arrester has a gas-filled housing in which main electrodes are disposed opposite one another, and supported by a tubular insulating member on whose interior side at least one ignition strip extends over a portion of the tube length. There is applied, on the exterior side of the insulating member at least one electrically conductive layer, clamp, or electrode, which at least partially overlaps, from the exterior, the ignition strip. The arrester has a low impulse breakdown voltage, so that the difference between the impulse breakdown voltage and the DC breakdown voltage is substantially reduced.

Abstract: In a protective gap device for protecting a circuit breaker, there are provided a cylindrical metalic shell, a high voltage electrode unit, and a low voltage electrode unit. The high and low voltage electrode units are respectively provided with a main electrode, a trigger electrode, and a cylindrical electrode plate, each of the trigger electrodes having a rod-shaped electrode so as to form a trigger gap between the main electrode and the trigger electrode.