Thomson Tubes Electroniques

Yves Beauvais

Paul De Groot

Maurice Verat

Jean-Marie Deon

Pierre Joly

The disclosure relates to image intensifier tubes of the proximity focusing type, wherein it especially concerns the positioning of a primary screen with respect to a slab of microchannels. An image intensifier tube comprises a sealed chamber containing a primary screen and a slab of microchannels. The slab of microchannels is fixed to the body of the chamber. According to one characteristic, the primary screen is fixed to the slab, from which it is kept at a distance by means of at least one insulating shim. The result thereof is greater precision and greater uniformity of the spacing between the primary screen and the slab of microchannels.

Proximity focusing image intensifier tube with spacer shims

An X-ray image intensifier tube includes a scintillator screen for converting ionizing radiation into light radiation or near-visible radiation, a microchannel array for achieving electron multiplication, and a photoelectrode positioned directly on an input face of the microchannel array. The input face of the microchannel array is coated with an electrically conductive layer which directly contacts the photocathode. The present design eliminates strict spacing requirements between the photocathode and the microchannel array and allows the photocathode and the microchannel array to operate at a single potential rather than requiring separate potentials. The requirement of a separate support for the scintillator screen is also obviated since the scintillator screen is formed on the input face of the microchannel array.

X-ray image intensifier tube having a photocathode and a scintillator

An apparatus for electrically insulating viewing windows in an image intensifier tube is disclosed. The mechanical parts which are located close to the window are electrically insulated with the metal parts being held at a high voltage and electrically insulated on the outside of the image intensifier by an insulating screen. The insulating screen includes electrically conductive layer 36 and an insulating layer 37 which separates the metal parts 20, 26 from the conductive layer. The conductive layer also forms an equipotential layer which is opposite the metal parts and thereby 'freezes' the distribution of the electrical lines of force in the insulating screen 35.

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St Egreve, France

Yves Beauvais