Patent US4409474A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4409474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Widerange photomultiplier circuit
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1981-05-29
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Granted: 1983-10-11
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Expires: 2001-05-29
Abstract
Abstract An improvement for a photomultiplier tube having its cathode, dynodes and ode spaced apart within an envelope increases the tube's linear dynamic range capability. A constant and stable collection potential is maintained between the anode and the dynode nearest the anode. In one form a zener diode voltage source and serially connected resistor are used or a fixed voltage is appropriately connected separate and distinct from the dynode potential connected across the other dynodes and the cathode. Thusly modified, a light flux range of approximately eight orders of magnitude can be accommodated by the improved photomultiplier tube circuitry.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert F. Howarth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J43/00; H01J43/04; H01J43/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
In a photomultiplier tube having a cathode, dynodes and anode disposed in an envelope in a mutually spaced relationship, an improvement for increasing the linear dynamic range capability comprising: means coupled between the anode and the dynode nearest the anode for impressing a constant and stable collection potential thereacross.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a photomultiplier tube having a cathode, dynodes and anode disposed in an envelope in a mutually spaced relationship, an improvement for increasing the linear dynamic range capability comprising: means coupled between the anode and the dynode nearest the anode for impressing a constant and stable collection potential thereacross.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An improved photomultiplier tube circuit according to claim 1 in which the constant and stable collection potential impressing means is a zener diode coupled across a voltage source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An improved photomultiplier tube according to claim 2 in which the voltage source is separate from a source providing a dynode potential connected across the other dynodes and the cathode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An improved photomultiplier tube according to claim 3 in which the voltage source includes a serially connected resistor between the voltage source and the zener diode to provide anode current for the photomultiplier tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An improved photomultiplier tube according to claim 1 in which the constant and stable collection potential means is a fixed voltage source coupled across the anode and the dynode nearest the anode.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for increasing the linear dynamic range capability of a photomultiplier tube having a cathode, dynodes and an anode disposed in an envelope in a mutually spaced relationship comprising: impressing a constant and stable potential across the anode and the dynode nearest the anode irrespective of changing impinging light intensities.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for increasing the linear dynamic range capability of a photomultiplier tube having a cathode, dynodes and an anode disposed in an envelope in a mutually spaced relationship comprising: impressing a constant and stable potential across the anode and the dynode nearest the anode irrespective of changing impinging light intensities.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 6 in which the step of impressing includes coupling a zener diode and a voltage source across the anode and the dynode nearest the anode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 7 in which the step of coupling includes the separating of the voltage source from a source providing a dynode potential coupled across the other dynodes and the cathode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 8 in which the step of coupling includes the connecting of a resistor in series with the voltage source between the voltage source and the zener diode to provide anode current for the photomultiplier tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 6 in which the step of impressing includes interconnecting a fixed voltage source across the anode and the dynode nearest the anode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2583143A
Cited
US3296445A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-10 | 1987-04-11 | 1987-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-10 | 1991-04-11 | 1991-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-10 | 1995-04-11 | 1995-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |