Patent US3798453A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3798453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multichannel digital photometer
Assignee: University of California Berkeley
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Filing: 1972-08-03
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-08-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for detecting a weak photon image is disclosed comprised of a magnetically focused image tube having a photocathode at one end, to transform a photon image into an electron image, spaced ring electrodes at progressively lower voltages starting at +20kv, to accelerate electrons to 25 kev, and a linear array of diffused p-n junction diodes for detection of photoelectron arrivals along one line of the electron image. A deflection coil permits scanning the entire photoelectron image, one line at a time. Alternatively, a matrix of p-n junction diodes may be used to detect the entire photoelectron image without scanning.
Inventors
- 👤 Ilwain C Mc
- 👤 E Beaver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/26; H10; H10D; H10D99/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for detecting a weak photon image comprised of a vacuum tube of non-conductive material having: a photocathode at one end for receiving photons from outside said tube and transforming them into free photoelectrons inside said tube, an array of solid-state diodes at the other end of said tube for receiving said photoelectrons, means for reverse biasing each of said diodes, means for accelerating sqid photoelectrons, means for imaging said photoelectrons on said array of diodes where each of said photoelectrons produces a large number of electronhole pairs resulting in a packet of charge deposited on one of said diodes, and electronic means for detecting separately any packet of charge deposited on each one of said diodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for detecting a weak photon image comprised of a vacuum tube of non-conductive material having: a photocathode at one end for receiving photons from outside said tube and transforming them into free photoelectrons inside said tube, an array of solid-state diodes at the other end of said tube for receiving said photoelectrons, means for reverse biasing each of said diodes, means for accelerating sqid photoelectrons, means for imaging said photoelectrons on said array of diodes where each of said photoelectrons produces a large number of electronhole pairs resulting in a packet of charge deposited on one of said diodes, and electronic means for detecting separately any packet of charge deposited on each one of said diodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said imaging means is comprised of means for focusing onto a plane of said array a photon image produced in said tube by said photocathode in response to a light image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said accelerating means is comprised of ring electrodes of non-magnetic material spaced between said photocathode and said array of diodes, and means for biasing said electrodes at progressively lower potential from said photocathode to said plane of said array of diodes to provide an internal electric field gradient. 4 Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said array of diodes is comprised of a plurality of diffused junction diodes disposed in said plane, and each diode is comprised of a region of diffused impurities in a common substrate of semiconductive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said diodes are disposed in a linear array, said imaging means including deflection means for selectively deflecting said photoelectron image in said tube, whereby said image can be scanned.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said diodes are disposed in a rectangular array to detect said photoelectron image in said tube without need for selectively deflecting said photoelectron image in said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein diodes of said rectangular array are connected at their anodes in groups to a first plurality of parallel conductors, one group connected to a unique one of said conductors, and wherein diodes of said rectangular array are connected at their cathodes in groups to a second plurality of conductors orthogonal to said first plurality of conductors, one group connected to a unique one of said conductors, each group selected for connection to one of said second plurality of conductors having only one diode in common with a group selected for connection to one of said first plurality of conducTors, whereby a a packet of charge produced on one diode of an array indicates the arrival of a photoelectron on said plane of said array of diodes at the location of said diode, and said location is uniquely defined by simultaneous conduction of current by two orthogonal conductors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, including a plurality of deflection means, each diode being connected to a different one of said detection means for detecting each packet of charge produced in response to a photoelectron.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including a plurality of digital accumulating means, wherein each detecting means is connected to separate accumulating means for counting packets of charges detected, whereby intensity of said weak photon image may be increased by counting packets of charges over a period of time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 including a plurality of buffer means, one buffer means for each accumulating means connected to receive the contents thereof when reset, and means for periodically resetting said accumulating means, thereby permitting readout of accumulated packets while the next accumulation is taking place.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |