Abstract A proximity-focused image storage tube having a high-potential readout surface, a passageway structure spaced from the readout surface for transmitting electrons to the readout surface, and a thin, nonconductive charge storage surface formed on the input end of the passageway structure. The passageway structure comprises an array of glass tubes. A first conductive surface is disposed on the input end of the array between the glass tubes and the storage surface. A second conductive surface is formed on the output end of the array. Voltage potentials are maintained on these conductive surfaces. The voltage potential of the second surface isolates the storage surface from the field produced by the high-potential readout surface so that the storage surface can be placed very close to the high-potential readout surface. The storage tube described herein therefore provides a highly focused output image because readout electrons will travel only short distances from one surface to another and therefore have little opportunity to defocus. A potential gradient is maintained between the two conductive surfaces during readout to provide both electron multiplication and a collimated electron output flow from each passageway. The electron multiplication allows an image to be read out of this tube for a relatively long time without degrading the stored image because relatively few electrons need approach the storage surface to produce a given output signal.
A proximity-focused image storage tube comprising: input means for providing an electron pattern representative of an object whose image is to be stored; storage means disposed proximate said input means for storing said pattern; output means disposed proximate said input means and said storage means for receiving electrons and providing an output representing the stored pattern, said output means requiring a high electric potential be maintained thereon in order to provide said output image; and multiplier means disposed between said storage means and said output means receiving electrons from said input means for transmitting electrons to said output means, and for emitting sufficient electrons to increase the number of electrons in transmission to said output means, said multiplier means including an element for receiving an electric potential to isolate said storage means from said potential of said output means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A proximity-focused image storage tube comprising: input means for providing an electron pattern representative of an object whose image is to be stored; storage means disposed proximate said input means for storing said pattern; output means disposed proximate said input means and said storage means for receiving electrons and providing an output representing the stored pattern, said output means requiring a high electric potential be maintained thereon in order to provide said output image; and multiplier means disposed between said storage means and said output means receiving electrons from said input means for transmitting electrons to said output means, and for emitting sufficient electrons to increase the number of electrons in transmission to said output means, said multiplier means including an element for receiving an electric potential to isolate said storage means from said potential of said output means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
The image storage tube of claim 1 in which: said input means comprises a photocathode; said output means comprises a phosphor screen; said multiplier means comprise an array of tubes having semiconductive, secondary electron emissive material comprising the inner surfaces of said tubes; said element of said multiplier means for receiving said isolating electric potential comprises a conductive coating on the output surface of said array; a second conductive coating is formed on the input surface of said array; and said storage means comprises an electrically nonconductive coating disposed on said second conductive coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The image storage tube of claim 2 further including collector electrode means for collecting electrons emitted from said storage means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
The image storage tube of claim 2 in which said first and second conductive coatings are adapted to have different electric potentials maintained thereon to provide a selected potential gradient between said two surfaces, said potential gradient providing an electric current flow generally parallel to said tubes in said semiconductive, secondary electron emissive material, and also providing an electric field along said tubes of sufficient strength to maintain a net electron flow through said tubes toward said phosphor screen, and to provide electrons in said tube with sufficient energy so that each electron that impacts against said semiconductive material causes secondary electrons to be emitted by said semiconductive material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The image storage tube of claim 2 further including means for supplying electric potentials to said photocathode, said two conductive coatings, and said phosphor screen.