US3845296A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photosensitive junction controlled electron emitter
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1973-10-10
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1993-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A sandwich structure of photosensitive junctions in series with a mosaic of photoemitters. An external grid is positioned adjacent the mosaic of photoemitters and has the high voltage side of a step up voltage divider thereto with the low voltage side connected to the input side of the sandwich structure. The sandwich structure and external grid are enclosed in a vacuum envelope for converting an input optical radiant image into an electron image for display on an electroluminescent screen. A bias light is uniformly flooded over the mosaic of photoemitters to provide saturation electron current therefrom. The flow of electrons emitted from the photoemitters are in proportion to the intensity of infrared light incident on the input side of the sandwich structure. The input side of the structure has an antireflection coating thereof for aiding the incident infrared light in producing electron-hole pairs across the photosensitive junctions.
Inventors
- 👤 A Schnitzler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J1/00; H01J1/02; H01J1/34; H01J29/00; H01J29/02; H01J29/10; H01J29/36; H01J29/38; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/50; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/107; H01J2201/00; H01J2201/34; H01J2201/342; H01J2201/3421; H01J2201/3423; H01J2231/00; H01J2231/50; H01J2231/50005; H01J2231/5001; H01J2231/50015; H01J2231/50026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An electronic imaging device enclosed in a vacuum envelope comprising: a plurality of reverse biased rectifying photosensitive junctions; a plurality of discrete electrically isolated photoemitters serially connected with said plurality of reverse biased rectifying photosensitive junctions to form a mosaic of discrete electrically isolated photocathodes to form a composite sandwich structure; a cathode luminescent phosphor screen; a bias light source for uniform illumination of the front surface of said plurality of discrete electrically isolated photoemitters for producing electron current saturation therefrom; an external grid positioned adjacent to and separated from said plurality of discrete electrically isolated photoemitters; voltage means connected to said fine mesh grid for accelerating electrons emitted from said plurality of discrete electrically isolated photoemitters to said cathode luminescent phosphor screen; and an electronic focusing means for proximity focusing the photocathode current in the field between said fine mesh grid and said plurality of discrete electrically isolated photoemitters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electronic imaging device enclosed in a vacuum envelope comprising: a plurality of reverse biased rectifying photosensitive junctions; a plurality of discrete electrically isolated photoemitters serially connected with said plurality of reverse biased rectifying photosensitive junctions to form a mosaic of discrete electrically isolated photocathodes to form a composite sandwich structure; a cathode luminescent phosphor screen; a bias light source for uniform illumination of the front surface of said plurality of discrete electrically isolated photoemitters for producing electron current saturation therefrom; an external grid positioned adjacent to and separated from said plurality of discrete electrically isolated photoemitters; voltage means connected to said fine mesh grid for accelerating electrons emitted from said plurality of discrete electrically isolated photoemitters to said cathode luminescent phosphor screen; and an electronic focusing means for proximity focusing the photocathode current in the field between said fine mesh grid and said plurality of discrete electrically isolated photoemitters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electronic imaging device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of reverse biased rectifying photosensitive junctions are semiconductor P-N junctions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electronic imaging device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of reverse biased rectifying photosensitive junctions are photodiodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electronic imaging device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of reverse biased rectifying photosensitive junctions are photosensitive transistor junctions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electronic imaging device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said bias light source has a constant light output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electronic imaging device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said bias light source has a pulsed light output.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electronic imaging device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said voltage means connected to said fine mesh grid is a constant voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electronic image device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said voltage means connected to said fine mesh grid is a pulsed voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electronic imaging device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said voltage means connected to said fine mesh grid is a constant voltage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electronic imaging device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said voltage means connected to said fine mesh grid is a pulsed voltage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electronic imaging device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said electronic focussing means is a wire grid electrically isolated photoemitters wherein said wire grid is biased negative relative to said photoemitters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
86 words
An electronic imaging device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said electronic focussing means comprises operating said photosensitive rectifying junctions in a charge storage pulse readout mode wherein a photogenerated charge is periodically stored in the capacitance between said rectifying junctions during an integration time and is discharged by application of said pulsed voltage means to cause a pulse of photocathode saturation current to flow to said cathodoluminescent phosphor screen until a charge equal to the stored charge has passed through said electronic imaging device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electronic imaging device as set forth in claim 12 wherein said pulsed light output from said bias light source is on during the discharge period of said photogenerated charge and is off during the photogenerated charge period.
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) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |