Abstract An electrical glow-discharge matrix display tube comprises an array of cavities provided in a face of a block of electrically insulating material. A glow-discharge cathode is provided at the bottom of each cavity and an anode or anodes are provided facing the open end of each cavity so as to define an array of individually addressable glow-discharge paths. The open end of each cavity is completely surrounded by an individual recess so as to reduce the electrical leakage which would otherwise occur between adjacent cavities due to sputtered material being deposited on the face of the block. The cathodes may all be electrically separated and may cooperate with a common anode, or rows of cathodes may be interconnected and cooperate with a series of strip-shaped anodes orthogonal to the cathode rows.
An electrical glow-discharge display device comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gas, said envelope comprising a viewing window and a block of electrically insulating material sealed to said window, said block having an array of cavities in the face proximate to said viewing window, a glow-discharge cathode positioned at the base of each cavity, and at least one anode facing and spaced from the open ends of said cavities for co-operating with said cathodes to define an array of individually addressable glow-discharge paths through the gas, the open end of each cavity being completely surrounded by a separate ridge and recessed portions of the block separating the ridges from each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
An electrical glow-discharge display device comprising an envelope containing an ionizable gas, said envelope comprising a viewing window and a block of electrically insulating material sealed to said window, said block having an array of cavities in the face proximate to said viewing window, a glow-discharge cathode positioned at the base of each cavity, and at least one anode facing and spaced from the open ends of said cavities for co-operating with said cathodes to define an array of individually addressable glow-discharge paths through the gas, the open end of each cavity being completely surrounded by a separate ridge and recessed portions of the block separating the ridges from each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cathodes are integral with said block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a ridge is provided around the circumference of said block face, to which ridge is sealed said viewing window.