Abstract: A back-lit vision machine apparatus is described that includes an imaging sensor for imaging an object. A radiation source for generating radiation having a first property and a radiation converter for converting radiation having the first property into radiation having a second property are also provided. The radiation source is arranged to project radiation having the first property onto the radiation converter thereby producing radiation having the second property, while the radiation converter is arranged to illuminate an object to be imaged by the imaging sensor with radiation having the second property. An object to be imaged is locatable between the radiation converter and the imaging sensor and such an object is thus back-lit by radiation having the second property produced by the radiation converter. The radiation source is arranged to project radiation having the first property onto the object to be imaged and onto the radiation converter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photomultiplier having a structure for making it possible to easily realize high detection accuracy and fine processing, and a method of manufacturing the same. The photomultiplier comprises an enclosure having an inside kept in a vacuum state, whereas a photocathode emitting electrons in response to incident light, an electron multiplier section multiplying in a cascading manner the electron emitted from the photocathode, and an anode for taking out a secondary electron generated in the electron multiplier section are arranged in the enclosure. A part of the enclosure is constructed by a glass substrate having a flat part, whereas each of the electron multiplier section and anode is two-dimensionally arranged on the flat part in the glass substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ion detector for improving the effect of electric field for pulling in an ion to be detected to a first-stage electrode of a secondary electron multiplier (SEM), and improving the effect of a stray light reduction. In one example embodiment, an ion detector includes a SEM, and a lead-in electrode for pulling in an ion to a first-stage electrode side of the SEM. At least one of the area of the lead-in electrode and a potential difference between the lead-in electrode and neighboring electrodes of the lead-in electrode, the neighboring electrode being an electrode not of the SEM, is set so that the light amount of internal-stray light generated inside the detector entering the first-stage electrode is not more than that of external-stray light generated outside the detector entering the first-stage electrode, when an ion is introduced into the detector.

Abstract: The photomultiplier tube 1 is provided with an upper frame 2 and a lower frame 4 which are arranged so as to oppose each other, with the respective opposing surfaces 20a, 40a made with an insulating material, a side wall part 3 which constitutes a casing together with the frames 2, 4, a plurality of stages of electron multiplying parts 33 which are arrayed so as to be spaced away sequentially from a first end side to a second end side on the opposing surface 40a of the lower frame 4, a photocathode 41 which is installed on the first end side so as to be spaced away from the electron multiplying parts 33, converting incident light from outside to photoelectrons, an anode part 34 which is installed on the second end side so as to be spaced away from the electron multiplying parts 33 to take out electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying parts 33 as a signal, and a wall-like electrode 32 which is arranged so as to enclose the photocathode 41 when viewed from a direction directly opposite to an opposing sur

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photomultiplier having a structure for making it possible to easily realize high detection accuracy and fine processing, and a method of manufacturing the same. The photomultiplier comprises an enclosure having an inside kept in a vacuum state, whereas a photocathode emitting electrons in response to incident light, an electron multiplier section multiplying in a cascading manner the electron emitted from the photocathode, and an anode for taking out a secondary electron generated in the electron multiplier section are arranged in the enclosure. A part of the enclosure is constructed by a glass substrate having a flat part, whereas each of the electron multiplier section and anode is two-dimensionally arranged on the flat part in the glass substrate.

Abstract: Electrons are prevented from being made incident onto an insulation part of a casing between dynodes to improve a withstand voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photomultiplier that realizes significant improvement of response time properties with a structure enabling mass production. In the sealed container, a photocathode, a dynode unit including at least one dynode set, and preferably dynode sets of two series, a focusing electrode unit arranged between the photocathode and the dynode unit are housed. The focusing electrode unit is set to the same potential as the second dynode arranged at a position where secondary electrons from said first dynode, which emits secondary electrons in response to incidence of photoelectrons, arrive, and is provided with partitioning plates partitioning the second dynode into two in a longitudinal direction of the second dynode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photomultiplier having a structure for making it possible to easily realize high detection accuracy and fine processing, and a method of manufacturing the same. The photomultiplier comprises an enclosure having an inside kept in a vacuum state, whereas a photocathode emitting electrons in response to incident light, an electron multiplier section multiplying in a cascading manner the electron emitted from the photocathode, and an anode for taking out a secondary electron generated in the electron multiplier section are arranged in the enclosure. A part of the enclosure is constructed by a glass substrate having a flat part, whereas each of the electron multiplier section and anode is two-dimensionally arranged on the flat part in the glass substrate.

Abstract: A photocathode for an image intensifier tube includes a faceplate, a glass plate disposed opposite the faceplate, and a span having one end attached to the glass plate and the other end attached to the faceplate for forming a sealed chamber between the faceplate and the glass plate. A semiconductor layer is bonded to a surface of the glass plate, where the surface is disposed outside of the sealed chamber. The semiconductor layer forms a photocathode. A thermal electric cooler (TEC) is disposed inside the sealed chamber for cooling the photocathode. The faceplate is formed from sapphire material. The glass plate is formed from high conductivity glass. The span is formed from either high conductivity glass or low conductivity glass. The faceplate and the glass plate form a path for light to impinge upon the semiconductor layer, and the photocathode of the semiconductor layer is configured to convert the light into electrons for emission toward an electron gain device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photomultiplier having a fine configuration capable of realizing stable detection accuracy. The photomultiplier has a housing whose inside is maintained vacuum, and a photocathode, an electron-multiplier section, and an anode are disposed in the housing. In particular, one or more control electrodes disposed in an internal space of the housing which surrounds the electron-multiplier section and the anode are electrically connected via one or more connection parts extending from an electron emission terminal of the electron-multiplier section.

Abstract: A glass container has a faceplate, a side tube, and a bottom. A photocathode is formed on the inner side of the faceplate. The glass container includes a partitioning wall, a shield electrode, a first dynode, a second dynode, a dynode array, and an anode. The partitioning wall has a cross shape to divide an electron focusing space into four space segments. The shield electrode is provided to shield the second dynode from the photocathode. A Venetian blind type of dynodes is provided as the dynode array. The first dynode, the second dynode, the dynode array, and the anode are maintained at the potential which is higher than that of the photocathode. Electrons emitted from the photocathode in response to incident light thereon efficiently impinge on the dynodes regardless of where the electrons are emitted. The electrons are multiplied and then detected by the anode.

Abstract: A multi-purpose efficient charge particle detector that by switching bias voltages measures either secondary ions, or secondary electrons (SE) from a sample, or secondary electrons that originate from back scattered electrons (SE3), is described. The basic version of the detector structure and two stripped down versions enable its use for the following detection combinations: The major version is for measuring secondary ions, or secondary electrons from the sample, or secondary electrons due to back-scattered electrons that hit parts other than the sample together or without secondary electrons from the sample. Measuring secondary ions or secondary electrons from the sample (no SE3). Measuring secondary electrons from the sample and/or secondary electrons resulting from back-scattered electrons hitting objects other than the sample (no ions).

Abstract: A glass container has a faceplate, a side tube, and a bottom. A photocathode is formed on the inner side of the faceplate. The glass container includes a first dynode, a second dynode, a screen focusing electrode, a dynode array, and an anode. The screen focusing electrode consists of a first screen, a second screen, a flat plate, and an aperture. The first screen is provided on the first dynode side of the aperture and extends across the lower end of the first dynode towards the photocathode. The second screen is provided on the second dynode side of the aperture and extends across the lower end of the second dynode towards the photocathode. A Venetian blind type is provided as the dynode array. The first dynode, the second dynode, the dynode array, and the anode are maintained at the potential which is higher than that of the photocathode. Electrons emitted from the photocathode in response to incident light thereon efficiently impinge on the dynodes regardless of where the electrons are emitted.

Abstract: A photomultiplier that prevents rattling between the dynodes and the base plates, the parts being fixed securely to achieve excellent vibration resistance. The dynode of the second stage (Dy2) includes a curved surface (Dy2A) having an arcuate cross-section and a flat surface (Dy2B) formed continuously and flush with the curved surface. The curved surface (Dy2A) and flat surface (Dy2B) make up the secondary electron emitting surface. Side walls (Dy2C) erected from the curved surface (Dy2A) are formed through a pressing process on either lengthwise end of the curved surface (Dy2A). First ear portions (Dy2D) extend outward from both side walls (Dy2C). Second ear portions (Dy2E) extend outward from both lengthwise ends of the flat surface (Dy2B). The first and second ear portions (Dy2D and Dy2E) are not parallel to each other but form a fixed angle.

Abstract: An electron multiplier with a source for spontaneously generating electrons is used as an electron source for an ionization source in a mass spectrometer or the like. The electron multiplier can be a microchannel plate, in which case it produces a wide electron beam. The microchannel plate can be acid-leached to provide a surface for spontaneous generation of electrons, or the first strike surface can be coated with an alkali-containing material. The electron source can be tuned by providing an electrode for rejecting electrons having too high an energy and a grid for rejecting electrons having too low an energy.

Abstract: In the microchannel 50, a conductive film 52 is formed on an electron input surface of a dynode 51 where the plurality of channels are arranged. The conductive film is made of material that can transmit light that has originated photoelectrons and that has a refractive index lower than that of the dynode constituting material.

Abstract: A voltage division circuit for a photomultiplier tube in which an electron multiplication factor of the photomultiplier tube is readily changeable in a wide range with a low power consumption and without degrading a dynode's collection efficiency and an output linearity. The voltage division portion 100 divides a high voltage (-HV) at a fixed voltage division ratio determined by the resistance values of resistors 111 to 116, 121 and 122, and 131 to 134 to thereby generate voltages applied to a focusing electrode 820, dynodes 831, 832 and 836 to 838. Another voltage division portion 300 includes a variable resistor 332 and generates voltages applied to the dynodes 833 to 835 by dividing the high voltage at a variable voltage division ratio upon operating the variable resistor.

Abstract: An electronic gain control is disclosed for the photomultipliers of a gamma camera which assures that all photomultipliers in the camera have uniform gain for any given ganuna event. A specific dynode in the photomultiplier is isolated from the line resistive voltage divider string in the photomultiplier which places each dynode under incremental voltages. A voltage is then applied to the isolated dynode which can vary anywhere from the voltage the isolated dynode would have had if inserted in the voltage divider string to the voltage that the immediately preceding or immediately succeeding dynode in the string has whereby the photomultiplier's gain is controlled. The applied voltage to the isolated dynode is developed electronically by a voltage to frequency converter coupled by an opto-isolator to a gain voltage divider circuit which cycles the applied voltage between two different voltage potentials tapped from the voltage divider string.

Abstract: A photomultiplier which can be easily made compact has a dynode unit having a plurality of dynode plates stacked in an electron incident direction in a vacuum container fabricated by a housing and a base member integrally formed with the housing. Each dynode plate is constituted by welding at least two plates overlapping each other. The welding positions do not overlap each other in the stacking direction of the dynode plates. With this structure, field discharge at the welding portions between the dynode plates can be prevented to reduce noise.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear multi-anode photomultiplier or electron multiplier on which a plurality of light beams to be measured or energy beams of electrons, ions and so forth are incident one-dimensionally. The object of the present invention is to prevent crosstalk between dynode arrays caused by leaking electrons. A transmission type photomultiplier is characterized in that the direction of secondary electron emission of the first-stage dynode of each dynode array is set in the opposite direction at 180.degree. from that of an adjacent dynode array. Then, adjacent dynode arrays will not oppose each other but are shifted from each other at a predetermined distance in the lateral direction. Accordingly, even if electrons leak from a gap between dynodes of a certain dynode array, the leaking electrons will not enter the adjacent dynode array, thereby preventing crosstalk.

Abstract: An electronic gain control is disclosed for the photomultipliers of a gamma camera which assures that all photomultipliers in the camera have uniform gain for any given gamma event. A specific dynode in the photomultiplier is isolated from the line resistive voltage divider string in the photomultiplier which places each dynode under incremental voltages. A voltage is then applied to the isolated dynode which can vary anywhere from the voltage the isolated dynode would have had if inserted in the voltage divider string to the voltage that the immediately preceding or immediately succeeding dynode in the string has whereby the photomultiplier's gain is controlled. The applied voltage to the isolated dynode is developed electronically by a voltage to frequency converter coupled by an opto-isolator to a gain voltage divider circuit which cycles the applied voltage between two different voltage potentials tapped from the voltage divider string.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for forming a photocathode having high quantum yield which comprises the first step of making a number of fine concavities and convexities in a surface of a substrate finished substantially in a mirror; the second step of blunting the fine concavities and convexities; and the third step of coating a photoelectron emissive material on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An electron multiplier tube including a grid type of plural dynode arrays arranged in a first direction with a multistage structure for successively multiplying electrons incident thereto and an anode provided below the multistage structure of dynode arrays for collecting the multiplied electrons to output an amplified electrical signal, each of the dynode arrays including plural rod-shaped dynode elements arranged in a second direction and a mesh electrode provided over each of the dynode arrays for providing an equipotential, wherein the multistage structure of dynode arrays includes at least one group of neighboring dynode arrays whose dynode elements are arranged so as to be aligned with one another in the first direction without displacement. Each of the dynode elements has a substantially isosceles trapezoid section, both side legs of the trapezoid being slightly inwardly curved to effectively receive the incident electrons which have been emitted from a dynode array at an upper stage.

Abstract: A venetian-blind type of photomultiplier tube comprising a photocathode for converting an incident light into photoelectrons, a venetian-blind type of dynode array comprising plural dynode rows arranged in a first direction, each of which comprises plural dynode elements arranged at a constant pitch in a second direction, each dynode element having a plate inclined to the first direction for emitting the secondary electrons, an anode array comprising plural anodes arranged in the second direction for collecting the secondary electrons emitted from the dynode array and outputting an amplified electrical signal corresponding to the light, and one or more electron converging electrodes for converging at least one stream of the photoelectrons and the secondary electrons and concentrically directing the converged stream to a predetermined portion of each of the dynode elements. The electron-flight control member may have various patterns such as a grid, strip, mesh and multi-aperture structures.

Abstract: A photomultiplier tube comprising a photocathode (10), focusing electrodes (12, 12') and a fast multiplier structure (20) having a large input surface relative to the photocathode and comprising at least one input dynode (21). According to the invention, said photomultiplier tube comprises, between the photocathode (10) and said focusing multiplier structure (20), a first multiplier stage (30) comprising, in succession and viewed from the assembly consisting of the photocathode (10) and the focusing electrodes (12, 12'), a grid (31), a first multiplier dynode (32) of the apertured-plate type, and an extracting grid (33) having the same pattern as said first multiplier dynode (32), the output of the extracting grid (33) being coupled to said input dynode (21) of the multiplier pattern by means of a focusing electrode (40).

Abstract: A secondary electron multiplier having a Venetian blind dynode structure for use in a photomultiplier tube or the like. The dynode structure includes first and second dynodes being vertically disposed transverse to each other in that the geometrically transparent part of the first dynode is aligned with a portion of the geometrically opaque part of the second dynode corresponding to a width dimension defined from the lower end of the second dynode, and the voltages applied to the dynodes are specially configured to provide a sufficient energy to the dynodes for secondary electron mulitplication.

Abstract: The disclosed charge transfer signal processor includes a vacuum housing having an input face and a output face, a 2-D electromagnetic input means cooperative with said input face for providing a 2-D input electronic charge signal within the vacuum housing, transfer means for imaging the 2-D input electronic charge signal in a region of the vacuum housing proximate the vacuum housing output face, and charge feedthrough means coupled to the vacuum housing output face for transferring the imaged 2-D electronic charge signal externally to the vacuum housing. In one embodiment, the charge transfer signal processor is operable as a Gen-I charge transfer amplifier. In another embodiment, a microchannel plate assembly is dThis invention was made with Government support under Contract F19628-84-C-0048 awarded by the Department of the Air Force. The government has certain rights in the invention.

Abstract: The first of a plurality of dynodes in a photomultiplier tube is made of a weldable nickel-beryllium alloy having a beryllium oxide layer thereon, formed into a desired shape from spot-welded segments. The dynode itself is then spot-welded to a support element. In one aspect of the invention, this first dynode has a scoop form. It is followed by a second dynode of spherical shape, made of a copper-beryllium alloy. A flap made of nickel-beryllium is juxtaposed to intercept photoelectrons that otherwise may escape photomultiplication in either the first or second dynodes. Additional venetian-blind type dynodes are employed to obtain the required photomultiplication.

Abstract: A photomultiplier includes a solid disk dynode and a pair of annular guiding electrodes disposed about the disk dynode transversely along the central axis of the photomultiplier tube on opposite sides of the dynode. The secondary and subsequent dynodes may be of conventional (e.g. venetian blind) construction or of solid disk construction. The solid disk dynode and guiding structure exhibits improved photoelectron pulse-height resolution and a better signal-to-noise ratio than a conventional venetian blind type dynode. In addition, the solid dynode structure is less susceptible to physical shock than conventional photomultiplier dynode designs.

Abstract: The photosensitivity of a photomultiplier dynode to white light or infrared radiation is greatly reduced by coating the dynode with a layer of an alkali halide material having good secondary electron emission characteristics. A method of applying the coating to the dynode is also described.