Rca Inc.

Burle Technologies, Inc.

Joseph Warren Wright

Ira G Ritzman

Anita Sreepadraj Venkatarao

Sanders Carl McComsey

A photomultiplier tube includes a photocathode and a primary dynode having input and output apertures. A field isolating mesh is positioned at the input aperture of the primary dynode to facilitate the collection of electrons from the photocathode of the photomultiplier to the primary dynode while simultaneously electrostatically shielding secondary emission electrons from the field of the photocathode. The field isolating mesh has a central opening that is dimensioned to maximize the throughput of photoelectrons from the photocathode to the primary dynode while providing effective field isolation in the vicinity of the primary dynode. The central opening in the field isolation mesh provides the further advantage of permitting uniform deposition of photo-emissive materials on the surface of the dynode during manufacture. In an alternative embodiment, the field isolating mesh of the primary dynode is formed in two segments. The first segment is disposed in the input aperture of the primary dynode and the second segment is disposed in offset, spaced parallel relation to the first segment. The photomultiplier according to the disclosed invention provides a significant improvement in electron collection efficiency, pulse height resolution, and magnetic sensitivity compared to known photomultiplier tubes of otherwise similar construction.

Photomultiplier tube with an improved dynode aperture mesh design

An imaging system for focusing and deflecting an electron beam comprises, as in prior systems, an evacuated envelope structure having a longitudinal axis and a solenoid for generating a substantially uniform magnetic field within the envelope and along the longitudinal axis thereof. As in prior systems of this type, the envelope includes an electrostatic yoke therein for generating a variable substantially uniform electric field within the envelope to deflect the electron beam along two coordinates of the system. The electric field is orthogonal to the magnetic field. An electron gun within the envelope generates and directs the electron beam through the magnetic and electric field to a target located opposite the electron gun and in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tube. Unlike prior systems, the electrostatic yoke of the present system comprises a first conductive layer bonded to the interior surface of the envelope, and a second conductive layer overlying the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer has a thickness in the range of about 500 to 1000 .ANG. and the second conductive layer has a thickness in the range of about 800 to 1500 .ANG.. The first and second layers include two pairs of interleaved electrodes. A method of making the electrostatic deflection yoke is also disclosed.

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Lancaster, PA, United States of America

Joseph Warren Wright