Photoconductive waveform memory

Claim 1

In a waveform memory which comprises, in combination; a. means for forming a light pattern representative of a memorized waveform, said light pattern having an extent in a first direction representative of time and having an extent in a second direction representative of the amplitude of the memorized waveform at each value of time represented along said first direction; and b. a photoelectric converter comprising a substrate for receiving the image of the waveform on a surface of the substrate and a plurality of elongated photoelectric potentiometers arranged in parrallel on the surface of the substrate and extending in said second direction, whereby an electric signal developed by each of said photoelectric potentiometers corresponds to a value of the waveform at a discrete point along the first direction representative of time, the improvement wherein each of said photoelectric potentiometers comprises: 1. an elongated resistance element comprising a plurality of resistive pieces connected in series, and a plurality of electrically conductive layers interposed alternately therebetween; 2. an elongated electrically conductive element disposed in parallel with said elongated resistance element; and 3. a strip of photoconductive substance interposed between said resistance element and said conductive element and continuously contacting said resistance and said conductive elements along their respective lengths.