Apparatus and method for monitoring of cathode ray tube panel manufacturing to reduce crt cost and improve performance and yield

Abstract

A monitoring apparatus and method for measuring light output gradient of a faceplate panel includes a top plate having a center detector and a plurality of corner detectors mounted along a major surface thereof. Lenses are optically coupled to a respective detector, and radiometers are electrically coupled to a respective detector. A bottom plate spaced apart from the top plate has a plurality of light outputs mounted along a major surface thereof and positioned to be opposite each detector. A light source is optically coupled to each light output through a splitter. A computer is electrically coupled to the light source for receiving feedback therefrom and for controlling the light source. The computer is also electrically coupled to each radiometer for recording data therefrom. During monitoring, a faceplate panel having a matrix applied thereto is accurately positioned between the top and bottom plates such that the center detector is located approximately above the center of the faceplate panel. Light is passed from the light sources through the faceplate panel to the detectors under control of the computer. The light output measurements at each detector are recorded by the computer and calculation is made of a light output gradient based upon a comparison of the light output at the center detector to the light output at the corner detector.