US1871280A - Photo-electric tube - Google Patents

Photo-electric tube Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US1871280A
US1871280A US428874A US42887430A US1871280A US 1871280 A US1871280 A US 1871280A US 428874 A US428874 A US 428874A US 42887430 A US42887430 A US 42887430A US 1871280 A US1871280 A US 1871280A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tube
photo
envelope
lithium
gold
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US428874A
Inventor
Rentschler Harvey Clayton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Westinghouse Lamp Co
Original Assignee
Westinghouse Lamp Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Westinghouse Lamp Co filed Critical Westinghouse Lamp Co
Priority to US428874A priority Critical patent/US1871280A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US1871280A publication Critical patent/US1871280A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01JELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J40/00Photoelectric discharge tubes not involving the ionisation of a gas
    • H01J40/16Photoelectric discharge tubes not involving the ionisation of a gas having photo- emissive cathode, e.g. alkaline photoelectric cell
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S428/00Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10S428/922Static electricity metal bleed-off metallic stock
    • Y10S428/9335Product by special process
    • Y10S428/936Chemical deposition, e.g. electroless plating
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S428/00Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10S428/922Static electricity metal bleed-off metallic stock
    • Y10S428/9335Product by special process
    • Y10S428/938Vapor deposition or gas diffusion

Definitions

  • This invention relates to photoelectric tubes sensitive to the ultraviolet and visible but more particularly to the ultraviolet region of the spectrum.
  • Photo-electric tubes in common use for measuring or detecting radiations employ a photo sensitive material on the cathode, usually an alkali metal, zinc or cadmium. Thorium, misch metal and uranium may also be used in measuring ultraviolet radiations of a particular ran e of wave lengths.
  • One of the o jects of the present invention is to produce a photoelectric tube which is sensitive to radiations from about 5500 Angstroms into the ultraviolet,
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a photoelectric tube which is sensitive to radiations throughout the whole ultraviolet range and in which the photo-electric efl'ect will be strong.
  • a photo-electric tube having a nickel or iron anode and a lithium cathode in an envelope preferably composed of a boro silicate glass free from iron commonly known in the art under the trade name Corex glass.
  • the lithium cathode is deposited on a coating of noble metal which is also deposited on the envelope so as to keep the lithium at all times out of contact with the envelope.
  • ig. 1 is an elevational view partly in section of a photoelectric tube embodying my invention
  • Fig. 2 is an elevational view partly in secthe method described below.
  • Fig. 2 is an elevational view partly in secthe method described below.
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the carrier for the photo-sensitive material. 7
  • the photo-electric tube shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises an envelope 10 having a cathode 11 and an anode 12 therein.
  • the anode consists of a metal frame comprising two parallel uprights 13 and 14 and a bracing cross member 15. The upright member 13 and 14 are sealed in the press 16 of the tube.
  • the anode 12 is preferably composed of iron or nickel.
  • the cathode 11 comprises a thin coating of lithium deposited on a coating of gold, platinum or silver which is adhered to the inner surface of the envelope 10.
  • This coating of gold for example, may be applied by painting the surface of the glass with a commerclal preparation known as liquid bright gold, drying for a few minutes at about 150 C. and then baking for 10 to 15 minutes at a temperature of around 500 C. Durin baking a stream of air should be maintained through the bulb to carry away the volatilized material given ofi from the coating.
  • the gold is deposited over a considerable area of the bulb interior. Prior to depositing the gold on the bulb a terminal 17 is at tached to the envelope 10 and connected to the interior of the bulb by a wire 18 sealed through the side wall of the envelope. The gold coating then adheres closely to the wire 18 forming a good contact therewith. Lithium is then deposited on the gold coating by A movable carrier for the lithium, preferably in the form of a pellet 20 consisting of about one part of lithium fluoride and ten parts of mlsch metal filin s, is mounted in the plate. 21 of slider 19 w ich slides on the anode 12.
  • This carrier may take a variety of forms but should be of such form that it can be readily heated by high frequency currents y from the exterior of the envelope. As illustrated the carrier comprises a hollow tubular 5 plate member 19 disposed about the anode 12 so that it may be readily slid from one.
  • a struck out plate 21 to form a ocket in which a ellet containing a 10 lit ium compound and a reducing agent may be wedged.
  • the cathode lead wire is sealed in the wall of the envelope, the gold coating is deposited on the envelope 5 and the anode mount with the carrier and pellet assembled thereon is also sealed to the tube.
  • the tube is then baked out and exhausted with the tube positioned as shown in Fi 2.
  • the carrier 19, as shown in full line is heated by a high frequency induction coil placed about the envelope. This heating is continued until an appreciable layer of lith-' ium has been reduced from its compound in the pellet and deposited on the gold coating.
  • the carrier is preferably so arranged within the tube that the lithium is deposited only on-the center portion of the gold coating. The tube is now sealed ofi.
  • the lithium carrier is moved to the position shown in full lines in Fig. land in dotted lines in Fig. 2 by invertin the tube.
  • the envelope 10 must e composed of a glass which is transparent to light in the desired region.
  • a glass which is transparent to light in the desired region.
  • I use Oorex I glass which is substantially transparent to ultraviolet.
  • a thin window 22 may be formed in the envelope oposite the cathode 11.;
  • the window 22 is ormed by heating a portion of the envelope and drawing-in such portion to form a reentrant bulbous body having a thin dome.
  • Such a window increases the current output of the tube very greatly, particularly in the lower wave length regions of the spectrum.
  • a gaseous filling of a rare gas, such as argon, neon or helium at a suitable pressure may be employed.
  • lithium fluoride compound in the ellet 20 I may use another lithium salt and may em 10 a difi'erent reducing agent instead of 111180 metal, if desired.
  • a photoelectric tube produced in accordance with my invention is sensitive to light in the blue end of the visible spectrum, the photoelectric efi'ect starting in about the green region thereof, and extending through the ultraviolet.

Landscapes

  • Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Common Detailed Techniques For Electron Tubes Or Discharge Tubes (AREA)

Description

Aug. 9, 1932- H. c. RENTSCHLER y-- PHOTO-ELECTRIC TUBE Filed Feb. 17. .1930
INVENTOR ATTORNEY atented Ange HARVEY CLAYTON BENTSCHLER, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY,
ASSIGNOB TO WEST INGHOUSE LAMP COMPANY, A CORPORATIQN OF PENNSYLV i k l PHOTO-ELEGTRIG TUBE Application filed February 17, 1930. Serial No. 4283M.
This invention relates to photoelectric tubes sensitive to the ultraviolet and visible but more particularly to the ultraviolet region of the spectrum.
Photo-electric tubes in common use for measuring or detecting radiations employ a photo sensitive material on the cathode, usually an alkali metal, zinc or cadmium. Thorium, misch metal and uranium may also be used in measuring ultraviolet radiations of a particular ran e of wave lengths.
One of the o jects of the present invention is to produce a photoelectric tube which is sensitive to radiations from about 5500 Angstroms into the ultraviolet,
Another object of this invention is to provide a photoelectric tube which is sensitive to radiations throughout the whole ultraviolet range and in which the photo-electric efl'ect will be strong.
Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.
According to my invention I provide a photo-electric tube having a nickel or iron anode and a lithium cathode in an envelope preferably composed of a boro silicate glass free from iron commonly known in the art under the trade name Corex glass. The lithium cathode is deposited on a coating of noble metal which is also deposited on the envelope so as to keep the lithium at all times out of contact with the envelope.
Many attempts have previously been made to produce a practical tube which employs lithium as the photo-sensitive material but because of the reaction which takes place between lithium and glass the metal surface has been destroyed.
reference is made to the accompanying drawin in which ig. 1 is an elevational view partly in section of a photoelectric tube embodying my invention;
Fig. 2 is an elevational view partly in secthe method described below. For a better understanding of my invention tion of the photoelectric tube shown in Fig 1, the figure being taken at 90 and in an inverted position relative to the position shown in Fig. 1,;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the carrier for the photo-sensitive material. 7
The photo-electric tube shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises an envelope 10 having a cathode 11 and an anode 12 therein. The anode consists of a metal frame comprising two parallel uprights 13 and 14 and a bracing cross member 15. The upright member 13 and 14 are sealed in the press 16 of the tube. The anode 12 is preferably composed of iron or nickel.
The cathode 11 comprises a thin coating of lithium deposited on a coating of gold, platinum or silver which is adhered to the inner surface of the envelope 10. This coating of gold, for example, may be applied by painting the surface of the glass with a commerclal preparation known as liquid bright gold, drying for a few minutes at about 150 C. and then baking for 10 to 15 minutes at a temperature of around 500 C. Durin baking a stream of air should be maintained through the bulb to carry away the volatilized material given ofi from the coating.
- The gold is deposited over a considerable area of the bulb interior. Prior to depositing the gold on the bulb a terminal 17 is at tached to the envelope 10 and connected to the interior of the bulb by a wire 18 sealed through the side wall of the envelope. The gold coating then adheres closely to the wire 18 forming a good contact therewith. Lithium is then deposited on the gold coating by A movable carrier for the lithium, preferably in the form of a pellet 20 consisting of about one part of lithium fluoride and ten parts of mlsch metal filin s, is mounted in the plate. 21 of slider 19 w ich slides on the anode 12.
This carrier may take a variety of forms but should be of such form that it can be readily heated by high frequency currents y from the exterior of the envelope. As illustrated the carrier comprises a hollow tubular 5 plate member 19 disposed about the anode 12 so that it may be readily slid from one.
end to the other thereof, and has welded on one face thereof a struck out plate 21 to form a ocket in which a ellet containing a 10 lit ium compound and a reducing agent may be wedged.
In the manufacture of the tube the cathode lead wire is sealed in the wall of the envelope, the gold coating is deposited on the envelope 5 and the anode mount with the carrier and pellet assembled thereon is also sealed to the tube. The tube is then baked out and exhausted with the tube positioned as shown in Fi 2. The carrier 19, as shown in full line is heated by a high frequency induction coil placed about the envelope. This heating is continued until an appreciable layer of lith-' ium has been reduced from its compound in the pellet and deposited on the gold coating. The carrier is preferably so arranged within the tube that the lithium is deposited only on-the center portion of the gold coating. The tube is now sealed ofi.
After the cathode has been formed the lithium carrier is moved to the position shown in full lines in Fig. land in dotted lines in Fig. 2 by invertin the tube.
' The envelope 10 must e composed of a glass which is transparent to light in the desired region. Preferably I use Oorex I glass which is substantially transparent to ultraviolet.
In order to further decrease the absorption of ultraviolet light in the glass a thin window 22 may be formed in the envelope oposite the cathode 11.; The window 22 is ormed by heating a portion of the envelope and drawing-in such portion to form a reentrant bulbous body having a thin dome.
Such a window increases the current output of the tube very greatly, particularly in the lower wave length regions of the spectrum. If desired a gaseous filling of a rare gas, such as argon, neon or helium at a suitable pressure may be employed.
Instead of the lithium fluoride compound in the ellet 20 I may use another lithium salt and may em 10 a difi'erent reducing agent instead of 111180 metal, if desired.
A photoelectric tube produced in accordance with my invention is sensitive to light in the blue end of the visible spectrum, the photoelectric efi'ect starting in about the green region thereof, and extending through the ultraviolet.
It is to be understood'that many changes may be made in the construction of the tube without departing from the invention and I do not desire to be limited except in accordance with the appended claim.
' uanvn CLAYTON namscmra.
US428874A 1930-02-17 1930-02-17 Photo-electric tube Expired - Lifetime US1871280A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US428874A US1871280A (en) 1930-02-17 1930-02-17 Photo-electric tube

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US428874A US1871280A (en) 1930-02-17 1930-02-17 Photo-electric tube

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US1871280A true US1871280A (en) 1932-08-09

Family

ID=23700738

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US428874A Expired - Lifetime US1871280A (en) 1930-02-17 1930-02-17 Photo-electric tube

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US1871280A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4407857A (en) * 1981-06-30 1983-10-04 Rca Corporation Method for processing a lithium-sodium-antimony photocathode
US4439712A (en) * 1981-08-26 1984-03-27 Rca Corporation Anode structure for photomultiplier tube

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4407857A (en) * 1981-06-30 1983-10-04 Rca Corporation Method for processing a lithium-sodium-antimony photocathode
US4439712A (en) * 1981-08-26 1984-03-27 Rca Corporation Anode structure for photomultiplier tube

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3548241A (en) Method of incorporating an amalgam or an amalgam-forming metal in a lowpressure mercury discharge lamp,and lamp produced by such method
US2770561A (en) Photoelectric cathode and method of producing same
US1871280A (en) Photo-electric tube
US1917854A (en) Photoelectric tube
GB680404A (en) Improvements in or relating to screens for producing an electron image which is a replica
US3514276A (en) Method of manufacturing nonlinear fluorescent lamps
US1917855A (en) Photo-electric tube
US2401737A (en) Phototube and method of manufacture
US4339469A (en) Method of making potassium, cesium, rubidium, antimony photocathode
US2167777A (en) Photoelectric tube
US2069713A (en) Electric lamp for producing short wave length radiation
US1955335A (en) Photoglow tube
US1897587A (en) Gaseous electric discharge device
US1831314A (en) Photoelectric tube
US3048737A (en) Gaseous discharge device and method
GB620843A (en) Improvements in or relating to television transmitter tubes and to the manufacture of target or mosaic electrodes suitable for use therein
US2449697A (en) Ionization chambers, geiger-muller tubes, and the like
US1768421A (en) Electron-discharge device
US1923845A (en) Photo-electric device
US2121636A (en) Photoelectric device
US1924275A (en) Photo-electric tube
US1955608A (en) Photoelectric device
US2733375A (en) Seal and terminal structure for electric discharge lamp
US2073522A (en) Photoelectric tube
US4331701A (en) Rubidium-cesium-antimony photocathode