US2097467A - Photoelectric tube - Google Patents

Photoelectric tube Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US2097467A
US2097467A US474441A US47444130A US2097467A US 2097467 A US2097467 A US 2097467A US 474441 A US474441 A US 474441A US 47444130 A US47444130 A US 47444130A US 2097467 A US2097467 A US 2097467A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
capsule
bulb
caesium
mixture
alkali metal
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
US474441A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jr Charles H Prescott
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.)
AT&T Corp
Original Assignee
Bell Telephone Laboratories Inc
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
Priority to NL36732D priority Critical patent/NL36732C/xx
Application filed by Bell Telephone Laboratories Inc filed Critical Bell Telephone Laboratories Inc
Priority to US474441A priority patent/US2097467A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2097467A publication Critical patent/US2097467A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J9/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture, installation, removal, maintenance of electric discharge tubes, discharge lamps, or parts thereof; Recovery of material from discharge tubes or lamps
    • H01J9/02—Manufacture of electrodes or electrode systems
    • H01J9/12—Manufacture of electrodes or electrode systems of photo-emissive cathodes; of secondary-emission electrodes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J40/00—Photoelectric discharge tubes not involving the ionisation of a gas
    • H01J40/02—Details
    • H01J40/04—Electrodes
    • H01J40/06—Photo-emissive cathodes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates toelectro-optical apparatus and more particularly to photoelectric tubes and methods of making them.
  • the present invention is directed to an improved light sensitive device of the character described in the preceding paragraph and to a more emcient method oi manufacturing devices oLthat type.
  • An object of the invention is to reduce irregularities in the production of I light sensitive devices. 4
  • a feature of the invention relates to the prov'sion of means within the device for controlling the chemical reduction of a mixture to produce the light sensitive material.
  • Another object is to protect the elements assembled within the device when the mixture is caused to react.
  • Still another object is to prevent the vapor of a suitable low pressure, a wire anode of conductive material and a cathode in the form or a semi-cylindrical plate of silver, having its concave surface directed toward the anode.
  • the silver plate. which constitutes the light sensitive s film carrying element, after being thoroughly cleaned and annealed is mounted on supporting wires extending from a press sealed in the bulb.
  • the bulb is baked for about thirty minutes in an oven at a temperature of about 320 to 400 C. 10 to drive out occluded gases which are evacuated. Oxygen is admitted into the bulb and the concave surface of the plate is bombarded with posi- '-'tive ions to transform it into an oxide layer, and
  • the plate is heated to a high temperature to re- 15 cute the oxide layer, whereby a roughened surface is provided.
  • the oxygen is then pumped out and a fresh supply of om'gen is .introduced into the bulb, and the rough surface of the plate is ionically bombarded intermittently by causing a definite number of discharges of a fixed amount of electricity to occur between the anode and the plate.
  • This bombardment eflects a quantitative oxidation oi the surface, whereby it is finally conditioned and rendered highly receptive of the light sensitive material.
  • the number of electrical discharges is made proportional to the weight of the light sensitive material to be deposited on the conditioned surface of the silver plate.
  • the press is provided with supports which carry a protective shield and a conductor of low resistance in the form of an incomplete loop.
  • the ends oi the conductor are connected by a capsule of high resistance material.
  • This capsule carries acylinder enclosing a chemically reactive mixture including caesium chromate. aluminum and chromic oxide.
  • the low resistance conductor and capsule connected in series therewith constitute acomplete loop surrounding the press.
  • a coil surrounding the bulb adjacent the press is supplied with high frequency current to induce current in the conductor and capsule, whereby they are heated to drive oil occluded gases, which are .evacuated.
  • the current induced in the low resistance conductor which flows through the capsule is just sufficient to ultimately heat the capsule to the point at which an exethermic reaction is initiated. Thisheeting is continued for-a short time and is then discontinued.
  • the chemical reduction initiated by heating the capsule is carried to completion to liberate the caesium by the heat generated when the aluminum reacts with the chronic oxide, included in the mixture;
  • the shield also protects the anode, thesupportsfor the electrodes and the press from the intense heat developed as a result of the chemical reactionand I I prevents caesium from being deposited on these elements.
  • a chamber through which circulates hot air
  • the bulb is allowed tocool to room temperature
  • I I Fig. 1 illustrates a photoelectric tube of the present invention
  • Fig. '2 is a schematic layout ofa portionof the Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of an electric circuit used in the process of producing the tube illustrated in Fig. 1;'
  • Fig. 4 is a sectional view of another portion of the apparatus to be used in accordance with this invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4.
  • a photoelectric tube comprising a bulb I, enclosing an anode 2, a cathode 3, a conductive loop consisting of a low resistance conductor 4 connected in series with a high resistance capsule 5 having associated therewith a deflecting or protecting shield 6.
  • the capsule encloses a mixture comprising caesium chromate, chromic oxide, and aluminum.
  • the caesium chromate is prepared from the raw materials, 1. e., silver chromate and caesium chloride, by the well known precipitation, filtering, and drying processes.
  • the caesium chromate thus obtained is ground to pass a 200 mesh sieve. Commercial chromic oxide is used without further treatment. The.
  • This cylinder withthe enclosed pellet ism turn I V placed inside'a molybdenum sheath or envelope .001 inch thickand of capsule form, the ends of which are flattened, andthe terminals of the heavy copper ring are crimpcd upon theflattened ends.
  • the press carries a plurality of supports. ID for 3 the cathode elnce'tv and two rods ll to which r is secured a saddle l2 forsupporting the loop 30 composing the conductor 4 and capsule 5 and the shieldfi. I I
  • I I I I I Fig. 2 shows an apparatus adapted to be used in the simultaneous production of four tubes.
  • This apparatus comprises a frame 15, provided with a cap l6 of metal, a manifold ll of glass with which is connected glass tubes l9, only one beinglshown, each adapted to be connected to a bulb
  • the base of the frame carries an electric oven adapted to be raised into a position surround- I ing the bulbs l and with its upper edge engaging the .cap l6.
  • a manometer M and a control panel C for the current supply system shown in Fig. 3.
  • the manifold I1 is connected to a pumping apparatus consisting of a liquid air trap 2
  • apparatus 26 and 21, respectively, adapted to supply oxygen and an inert gas, for example, Apparatus 26 and 21 are connected tothe conduit 28 by means of a connection having two branches, each including a mercury seal surrounding a pair of porous plugs of havite which are brought into contact to permit oxygen or argon, as the case may be, to be supplied to the bulb. These seals serve to cut off the apparatus 26 and 21 from the evacuating apparatus when it is operating.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a current supply system for use in the process of manufacturing four bulbs.
  • This system comprises a circuit 3!, adapted to be connected to a direct current source, not shown, and a potentiometer 32 for controlling the potential applied through a switch 33 either to a condenser system 34 and through keys 35 to the electrodes 2 and 3 of the tubes I, or directly to these electrodes via-the keys 35,. depending upon whether the switch 33 occupies the left hand or right hand position.
  • the keys 35 are connected to the lead-in wires 8 and 9 of the tubes I and are used to control the current supplied to the electrodes 2 and 3.
  • Figs. 4 and 5 show an apparatus for supplying a stream of hot air under pressure to-four chimneys for heating the tubes.
  • This apparatus comprises a hollow base member 36 divided into com partments by ,baflies 31., The lower compartment is connected to a compressed air pipe line 38 by branches 39 and encloses an electric heating compartment by a pair of openings 42. The upbe firmly held by the electric oven 20, so that,-
  • each chinmey surrounds a bulb I, as shown for one bulb at the extreme right in Fig. 4.
  • the press I having been provided with the supports l0, II, and the anode 2, the silver plate 3is secured to supports l and the loop, consisting of the conductor 4 and capsule and the shield 6, are mountedon the saddle! which is secured to the supports H. a
  • the press is then sealed in the extension I3 of the bulb or tube four of these bulbs are connectedby means of ,tubes 9 to the manifold II, the pumping apparatus is started, the oven 20 is energized and raised into position to surround the bulbs. complete assemblyis thereby heated to a high temperature to drive occluded gases out of the glass walls of the bulb, the press and the elements carried thereby, and these gases are evacuated by the pumping apparatus, the operation of which is discontinued when the desired degree of vacuum is produced in the bulb.
  • the assembly is now purged of impurities by admitting oxygen from the apparatus 2.6 and pumping it out.
  • a fresh supply of oxygen is thensupplied to the bulb and the keys 35 are intermittently actuated to cause a large current discharge to occur between the electrodes, whereby the concave surfaceof the plate 3 is bombarded with positive ions, and the oxygen is dized to a dark black color by closing the corre- 'sponding key 35 ten times for one and one half ened to the desired degree.
  • Thebulbs are now evacuated to a good vacuum, approximately m. m. of mercury, and are refilled with oxygen to a pressure of about 2.16 m. m. of mercury.
  • the switch is thrown into engagement with the left hand contacts to charge a five-micro'farad condenser system to' 650 volts, the key 35 corresponding to each tube is intermittently closed a number of times, determined by the weight in milligrams of the pellet within the capsule 5 multiplied by a constant. This constant is approximately 2 and the totalnumber of closures used in the manufacture of a number of tubes varied between eighty and one hundred. During this operation the keys 35 are intermittently closed.
  • the oiwgenis then pumped out to a pressure of approximately 10- m. m. of mercury and the bulbs are ready for the production of caesium.
  • Caesium is produced by flashing the capsule by supplying high frequency current to the coil l4, the lower turn of which, as shown in Fig. 2, is in the same plane as the conductor 4.
  • vI-lIigh frequency current of about 30 amperes is supplied to the coil [4 to induce in'the conductor 4 a correspondingly large current which passes through the capsule 5 and heats it to a temperature just sufficient to initiate a chemical reaction.
  • the caesium chromate. and the ch'romic oxide are reduced by the aluminum, which causes a great amountof heat to be generated, aluminum oxide and metallic chromium are produced and metallic caesium is liberated in the form of vapor which escapes through the interstices of the caps'ule.
  • the aluminum and chromic oxide react to generate heat of aproximately 150,000 cal. per gram-molecule, whereby the chemical reaction with the caesium chromate is carried to completion and the caesium vapor-is liberated at such temperature that, if allowed to deposit upon the oxidized surface of the plate 3 it would seriously damage and might completelydestroy the oxide film because of the low decomposition temperature of the silver .oxide, with the result that the finished cathode would be almost insensitive to light radiations.
  • residue in the capsule comprises aluminum oxide and metallic chromium.
  • a shield 6 which occupies a position between the capsule and the press and has its upper portion outwardly curved toward the wall of the bulb.
  • the shield also serves to protect the press and the elements supported thereby, but especially the oxidized surface of the cathode member, from the intense radiant heat developed during the reduction of the mixture carried by the capsule. It also operates to deflect the caesium vapor away from the press and elements supported thereby and to direct it to the wall of the bulb which is immediately opposite the concav oxidized surface of the plate 3'. In this manner the metal caesium is directed into contact with the relatively cool wall of the bulb and deposits thereon.
  • the shield is positioned and its curvature is such that it lies substantially in the direction 'of the-lines of force produced by the high frequency current flowing through the coil M, i. c. it does not out these lines of force, consequently,
  • the hot air apparatus shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is mounted upon the oven '20 and is raised into a position with the chimneys 44 surrounding the bulbs. Compressed air is supplied to this apparatus and the heating unit is energized to heat the air passing across it to a desired temperature, such that the glass walls of the bulbs are uniformly heated to approximately 220 C. to vaporize the caesium.
  • the cathode member is at a relatively low temperature, compared with the rest of the assembly, and its oxidized surface has a pronounced afiinity for the caesium vapor, consequently the caesium deposits upon the oxidized surface in the form of a uniform thin film andat least some of the oxygen of the layer combines with the caesium, as the heating is continued.
  • the time during which the stream of hot air is applied to the bulbs to promote the chemical combination of the oxygen and caesium depends upon the operating conditions in the case of each tube.
  • the correct length of time for this treatment may be determined by testing the tubes from time to time by projecting light upon the cathode, supplying current from the oxidizing circuit, with the switch 33 in engagement with the right hand contacts and the voltage adjusted to 50 volts, and measuring the current flow between the electrodes by an ammeter connected to' the jack 45 (Fig. 3).
  • Argon is now introduced into the tube from the apparatus 21 until its'pressure assumes a steady state of approximately .05 m. m. of mercury and the tube is sealed off.
  • the condenser discharge permits the oxidation process to be quantitatively controlled.
  • the exothermic reaction enables the chemical reaction of the constituents of the mixture to be carried to completion and thereby insures that all of the caesium, present in the compound, is liberated.
  • the most advantageous conditions for the production of the light sensitive layer may be uniformly attained, and evolution of the caesium is effected with the application of the minimum amount of heat.
  • the cathode member may be a plate of any good conductive material, for example copper,
  • alkali metals Any of the alkali metals could be used in place of caesium. Rubidium, potassium, sodium and perhaps barium are typical examples of satisfactory substitutes for caesium.
  • a method of preparing a cathode member of a photoelectric tube for the reception of electron emitting material which comprises surrounding the member with oxygen, and causing a series of periodic discharges of a fixed amount of electricityto said member to oxidize its surface.
  • a method of introducing a volatilizable metal into an evacuated container which comprises providing a mixture of a compound of the volatilizable metal, a reducing agent, and an oxide of a metal which is less volatile than the first mentioned metal to promote the generation of heat, and heating the mixture to a reaction tema member having low resistance applied to said stem and supporting said capsule, and means for inducing in said member current which flows through said capsule for heating said mixture to a reaction temperature, and deflecting means adjacent sa d capsule.
  • An electric discharge device comprising an envelope provided with a stem and electrodes-9. capsule within said envelope and enclosing a mixture including a compound of an alkali metal,
  • a member having low resistance connected in serieswith said capsule, means carried by said stem and mounting said member, means for inducing in said member current which flows 15.
  • a light sensitive device comprising an envelope provided with electrodes one of which is metal, supports for said metallic electrode, a capsule enclosing a mixture including a compound of an alkali metal, means for heating said capsule to cause said mixture to react and liberate said metal as a vapor, and means for preventing deposition of said metal on said metallic electrode.
  • a light sensitive device comprising an envelope provided with electrodes'one of which is metal, supports for said metallic electrode, a capsule enclosing a mixture including a compound of an alkali metal, means for heating said capsule to cause said metal to be vaporized, and
  • An electric discharge device having electrodes, a conductive ring consisting of a capsule enclosing a mixture including a compound of an alkali metal connected in series with aconductor of low resistance, means for inducing in said conductor high frequency current which heats said mixture to liberate the alkali metal, and adjacent said capsule a heat shield lying along the magnetic lines of forces produced by said last mentioned means.
  • An electric discharge device having electrodes, a conductive ring consisting of a capsule enclosing a mixture including an alkali metal connected in series with a conductor of low resistance, a coil to be supplied with high frequency current for inducing in said conductor current which heats said mixture to liberate the alkali metal, a heat shield adjacent said capsule and lying along the magnetic lines of force produced by said coil.
  • a light sensitive device comprising a bulb enclosing an anode, a capsule carrying a mixture including a compound of an alkali metal, a member having a surface sensitive to said alkali metal, means for heating said capsule to cause vaporization of said metal, and means for preventing deposition of the hot alkali metal on the sensitive surface of said member.
  • a light sensitive device comprising a bulb enclosing an anode, a capsule carrying a mixture includinga compound of an alkali metal, a member having a surface sensitive to'said' alkali metal, means for heating said capsule to cause said mixture to react and liberate said metal as a vapor, and means for directing the hot alkali metal to the surface of the bulb.
  • a light sensitive device comprising a bulb enclosing an anode, a capsule carrying a mixture including a compound of an alkali metal, a member having a surface sensitive to said alkali metal, means for heating said capsule to cause vaporization of said metal, and means for directing the hot alkali metal to a portion of the surface of the bulb opposite the sensitive surface of said member.
  • Means for manufacturing a light sensitive device embodying a bulb enclosing an anode, a capsule carrying a mixture including a compound of an alkali metal and a member having a surface sensitive to said alkali metal comprising means device embodying a .bulb enclosing an anode, a capsule carrying a mixture including a compound of an alkali metal and a member having a surface sensitive to said alkali metal, comprising means for heating said capsule to cause vaporization of said metal, means for directing hot alkali metal to the surface of the bulb, and means for heating the bulb by a stream of hot air to vaporize the alkali metal deposited on the surface thereof.
  • a method of producing a light sensitive device comprising a bulb enclosing an anode and an electrode member which comprises oxidizing the surface of saidmember and reducing the oxide, forming an oxide layer on said surface, inserting in the bulb a mixture including a compound'of an alkali metal, heating said mixture to a reaction temperature to liberate said alkali metal, directing the hot alkali metal to the surface of said bulb to the exclusion of the oxide layer on said member, and heating the bulb to transfer the alkali metal therefrom to the oxide layer on said member.
  • Means for manufacturing a light sensitive device embodying a bulb enclosing an anode, and an electrode member having a surface sensitive to alkali metal comprising means for' depositing alkali metal upon'the inner surface of said bulb, and means -for heating said bulb by a stream of hot air to vaporize the alkali metal on said bulb to cause it to be deposited on said member.
  • a method for producing a cathode-for a photoelectric tube which comprises forming a silver oxide coating upon a cathode plate, heating the plate to reduce the silver oxide, reoxidizing the plate, evolving caesium in the form of vapor directed away from said plate by heating a mixture including a caesium compound, and subsequently depositing a film of said caesium on said reoxidized plate.
  • An electric discharge device comprising an envelope containing electrodes, a capsule of high electrical resistance enclosing a mixture including a compound of an alkali metal, and an electrically conducting member in the form of a loop which supports said capsule to form therewith a closed electric circuit, said capsule forming a relatively small 'part of said circuitand said member being of high conductancethroughout compared with said capsule, whereby if current is introduced in said member from without said device this current will generate a large amount of' heat directly in said capsule for heating said mixture to a re ction temperature.
  • An electric discharge device containing electrodes supported on a stem, a capsule of high electrical resistance enclosing a mixture including a compound of an alkali metal, an electrically conducting member in the form of a loop which is supported upon and substantially surrounds said stem and in turn supports said capsule to form therewith a closed electric circuit, said capsule fomiing a relatively small part of said circuitand said member being of high conductance throughout compared with said capsule, whereby if current is introduced in said member from without said device this current will generate a large amount of heat directly in said capsule for heating said mixture to a reaction temperature.
  • a light sensitive device comprising an envelope provided withtelectrodes one of which is metal, a support for said metallic electrode, a
  • holder containing a mixture including a com- I pound of an alkali metal, means insulated from said electrodes supporting said holder, means for heating said mixture to cause liberation of said metal as a vapor, and means for preventing deposition oi. metal from said vapor on said metallic electrode.
  • a light sensitive device comprising an envelope provided with electrodes one of which is metal, asupport for said metallic electrode, a holder containing a mixture of an alkali metal chromate, a reducing agent and a heat-generating metal oxide, means insulated from said electrodes supporting said holder, means for heat- 4 ing said mixture to cause liberation of said metal as a vaponand means for preventing deposition oiv metal from said vapor on said metallic electrode.
  • a light sensitive device comprising an envelope provided with electrodes one of which is metal, a support for said metallic electrode, a holder containing a mixture including caesium chromate, chromic oxide and aluminum, means insulated from said electrodes supporting said holder, means for heating said mixture to cause liberation of said caesium. as a vapor, and means for preventingdeposition of caesium from said vapor on said metallic electrode.
  • a method of preparing a conductive member to receive light sensitive material which comprises"oxidizing the surface of the member, reducing the oxide, and oxidizing the resultant surface to an extent proportional to the amount

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
US474441A 1930-08-11 1930-08-11 Photoelectric tube Expired - Lifetime US2097467A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL36732D NL36732C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1930-08-11
US474441A US2097467A (en) 1930-08-11 1930-08-11 Photoelectric tube

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US619402XA 1930-08-11 1930-08-11
US381606XA 1930-08-11 1930-08-11
US381608XA 1930-08-11 1930-08-11
US474441A US2097467A (en) 1930-08-11 1930-08-11 Photoelectric tube

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2097467A true US2097467A (en) 1937-11-02

Family

ID=27488505

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US474441A Expired - Lifetime US2097467A (en) 1930-08-11 1930-08-11 Photoelectric tube

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US2097467A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL36732C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2773730A (en) * 1953-12-17 1956-12-11 Tungsol Electric Inc Preparation of light sensitive surfaces
US2782907A (en) * 1951-11-29 1957-02-26 Rca Corp Getter assemblies and method of making the same
US2931935A (en) * 1957-02-28 1960-04-05 Gen Electric Electric discharge device
US3341273A (en) * 1963-06-19 1967-09-12 Electronics Corp America Method of manufacturing photosensitive devices
US4940439A (en) * 1987-12-25 1990-07-10 Hitachi, Ltd. Method of and apparatus for manufacturing Braun tubes

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2782907A (en) * 1951-11-29 1957-02-26 Rca Corp Getter assemblies and method of making the same
US2773730A (en) * 1953-12-17 1956-12-11 Tungsol Electric Inc Preparation of light sensitive surfaces
US2931935A (en) * 1957-02-28 1960-04-05 Gen Electric Electric discharge device
US3341273A (en) * 1963-06-19 1967-09-12 Electronics Corp America Method of manufacturing photosensitive devices
US4940439A (en) * 1987-12-25 1990-07-10 Hitachi, Ltd. Method of and apparatus for manufacturing Braun tubes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL36732C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2164595A (en) Method of coating electrodes
US2097467A (en) Photoelectric tube
US3307983A (en) Method of manufacturing a photosensitive device
US2100746A (en) Gettering vacuum tube
US1927812A (en) Photo-electric tube
US1981652A (en) Method of coating electrodes
US2798182A (en) Dispenser cathode having heater embedded in densely sintered receptacle wall
US1922162A (en) Evacuation of electronic devices
US2217205A (en) Photoelectric tube
US2154131A (en) Getter
US2404803A (en) Space discharge device
US2072342A (en) Photoelectric tube
US1841034A (en) Electrooptical apparatus
US2838708A (en) Electron discharge device and method of gettering
US2023707A (en) Method of obtaining emissive coatings
US2102760A (en) Photoelectric tube
US2391280A (en) Method of forming layers for electronic cathodes
US4231627A (en) Electron beam tube
US1854926A (en) Process for carbon-coating electrodes
US2055181A (en) Photoelectric tube
US2303174A (en) Photoelectric tube
US1731268A (en) Electron-discharge device
US2444158A (en) Thermionic device and getter elements therefor
US1966220A (en) Method of producing a photo-electric tube
US2077634A (en) Photoelectric tube