U.S. Philips Corporation

Alfred W Woodhead

Daphne L Lamport

Alan G Knapp

Derek Washington

Ronald W Gill

Daphne I Lamport

In order to reduce contrast degradation in an electrostatically scanned flat cathode ray tube having a channel plate electron multiplier, due to back-scattered electrons entering channels remote from their origin, a coating of a material having a low back-scatter coefficient is applied over the input of the electron multiplier between the apertures therein. The surface texture of the material should be microscopically rough. The material can be applied to the first dynode or to an electrode electrically and physically connected to the first dynode. The acceptance angle of the channel plate electron multiplier may also be restricted.

Cathode ray tube with means for preventing backscatter from electron

In order to reduce contrast degradation in an electrostatically scanned flat cathode ray tube having a channel plate electron multiplier due to back-scattered electrons entering channels remote from their origin, steps are taken to restrict the acceptance angle of the channel plate electron multiplier. In one arrangement means are provided on the input surface to restrict the angle of entry to a range normally associated with the addressing electron beam. In another arrangement the ready emission of secondary electrons is restricted to a predetermined arcuate portion of the input of each channel of the electron multiplier. In either arrangement stray electrons are unable to impinge upon the secondary emitting material in the channels and in consequence produce many fewer back-scattered electrons. Optionally a material having a low back-scatter coefficient and a microscopically rough surface texture may be applied to the exposed surfaces, apart from the apertures, of the input side of the electron multiplier to reduce the number of back-scattered electrons.

Cathode ray tube

In order to prevent the walls of the envelope (10) of a flat panel display tube having a large area screen from imploding, supporting walls (22) are provided to divide the interior of the envelope into a plurality of modules. Each module has its own electron beam generating means (24) for producing a low voltage, low current, intensity modulated electron beam (26) which is directed vertically upwards. A laminated channel plate electron multiplier (28) is disposed across the module and extends substantially parallel to the front and rear walls (12, 14) of the envelope. A single column of channels in the electron multiplier (28) is illustrated. The spacing of the channels determines the vertical resolution of the image produced. In order to deflect the electron beam (26) into a particular channel, a plurality of deflector electrodes (30) are disposed on the rear wall (14). These electrodes (30) and the input dynode of the electron multiplier (28) are generally held at the same potential to define a field-free space. However, in order to deflect the electron beam (26), the potential applied to electrodes (30) ahead of the deflection point is reduced so that the beam is deflected towards the selected channel in the electron multiplier (28). The current-multiplied electron beam from the output of the electron multiplier (28) undergoes focusing, horizontal deflection and post deflection acceleration as a result of suitable voltages applied to electrodes provided on the supporting walls (22). These electrodes may be parallel to each other or may diverge in a direction towards the front wall (12).

Display tube

The display tube includes an electron gun (29) which directs a low energy electron beam (30) generally parallel to a flat faceplate (14) carrying a phosphor screen (16). The beam is deflected in a plane parallel to the faceplate by deflection electrodes (38) for line scanning purposes before being reversed in direction by a reversing lens (40) and then scanned framewise over the input side of an electron multiplier (44) by further deflection electrodes (42). The low energy beam in the scanning section of the tube is susceptible to the influence of ambient magnetic fields. The ensure that the beam correctly enters the reversing lens (40) in its acceptance window regardless of such fields an electron-optic lens system (50) defining a series of alternate high and low voltage regions and constituting in effect a series of relay lenses is provided between the gun and the reversing lens which periodically re-focusses the beam and constrains the beam substantially along a predeterming path with respect to the reversing lens.

Flat cathode ray display tube with periodic beam refocusing means

A flat display tube comprising an envelope including a faceplate on which a luminescent screen is provided. An internal divider divides the interior of the envelope vertically into a front portion adjoining the faceplate and a rear portion which communicates with the front portion via a space between the upper edge of the divider and a peripheral wall of the envelope. An upwardly directed electron gun and line scanning means are disposed in the rear portion. The line deflected electron beam is directed to a 180.degree. reversing lens which deflects the electron beam into the front portion. An electron multiplier is disposed in the front portion adjacent to, but spaced from, the faceplate. The electron beam in the front portion undergoes frame deflection by means of a plurality of selectively energized, vertically spaced, horizontally elongate electrodes. The pattern of energization of the electrodes is such as to deflect an end portion of the electron beam to the input side of the electron multiplier. The beam having undergone electron multiplication is accelerated to the screen.

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Caterham, United Kingdom

Alfred W Woodhead