US2198233A - Electron-multiplier system - Google Patents

Electron-multiplier system Download PDF

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Publication number
US2198233A
US2198233A US222186A US22218638A US2198233A US 2198233 A US2198233 A US 2198233A US 222186 A US222186 A US 222186A US 22218638 A US22218638 A US 22218638A US 2198233 A US2198233 A US 2198233A
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United States
Prior art keywords
electron
electrode
streams
cathode
electrons
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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
US222186A
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English (en)
Inventor
Jr Richard L Snyder
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.)
RCA Corp
Original Assignee
RCA Corp
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 NL55462D priority Critical patent/NL55462C/xx
Application filed by RCA Corp filed Critical RCA Corp
Priority to US222186A priority patent/US2198233A/en
Priority to GB18253/39A priority patent/GB530408A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2198233A publication Critical patent/US2198233A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J43/00—Secondary-emission tubes; Electron-multiplier tubes
    • H01J43/04—Electron multipliers
    • H01J43/30—Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the tube and not otherwise provided for

Definitions

  • My invention relates to electron discharge devices, particularly to electron multipliers and has special reference to the provision of improvements in the construction and operation of high gain photo-actuated electron multipliers.
  • One of the principal difiiculties encountered in the use of electron multipliers is that of maintaining the gain of the device at a constant value irrespective of changes in the tube characteristics during operation and in spite of variations in the line voltage.
  • an object of my invention is to obviate the above described and other disadvantages incident to the use of electron multipliers.
  • Another object of my invention is to provide an improved electron multiplier and one which lends itself readily to the regulation of its gain.
  • Another object of my present invention is to provide a novel method of regulating the gain of an electron discharge device.
  • My invention is predicated upon my discovery that when electron current passes through an electron multiplier (for example, of the type disclosed in copending application Serial No. 205,672, to Pike et al., filed July '7, 1938) there is very little transverse spreading of the electron stream. That is to say, if a spot of light is focused on one side of the center of a photo-cathode, the anode will receive the multiplied electron current only on that side. Similarly, if two 40 beams of light are directed upon the cathode, one
  • my present invention contemplatesand its practice provides an electron discharge device having an auxiliary anode.
  • a to modulated and an unmodulated beam of light are provided for generating two electron streams which eventually impinge upon the separate anodes.
  • Small changes in the unmodulated current present on the auxiliary anode are utilized to vary the actuating voltage applied to a "con- (Cl. 250-4L5) trol electrode whereby to oppose the original change.
  • the electrode thus controlled may comprise an intermediate multiplying electrode and the controlling voltage applied thereto, from the auxiliary anode, may operate to defocus or refocus the main electron stream, whereby the number of electrons impinging upon the main anode, and hence the modulated output current of the device, is regulated.
  • I may employ an electron-multiplier similar to that described in the above mentioned application Serial No. 205,672 but modified to include a bipart output electrode assembly.
  • An electronmultiplier which has been thus modified, is shown in the accompanying drawing.
  • the electron multiplier of the drawing comprises a highly evacuated envelope T, which, for
  • a longitudinal reference axis A-A Suitably mounted adjacent one end of the axis AA are two anodes, B, B, respectively, which are arranged in parallel relation on opposite sides of the axis. Mounted adjacent the other end of the axis AA is an oversize photosensitive cathode C.
  • a pair of sets of curved substantially lL-shape multiplying (i. e., secondary electron emissive) electrodes are mounted on opposite sides of the reference axis between the cathode and bi-part anode.
  • the electrodes of the "upper set are odd-numbered l, 3, ii, i and 9, and those of the lower set are even numbered 2, t, t and t.
  • each L-shaped multiplying electrode except electrode l, extends across the axis AA with its free end inclined toward the cathode.
  • the short leg of each of the said US extend in the direction of the anodes and each terminates at a point substantially equally distant from the said reference axis.
  • the contour of, the cathode C preferably differs from that of the first multiplying electrode l and the contour of the electrode l, preferably, but not necessarily, diiiers from the contour of the other multiplying electrodes.
  • all of the electron emissive electrodes are of cylindrical curved construction and are mounted with the generatrices of their surfaces normal to a plane containing the reference axis A-A.
  • the hollow box-like metal member S which forms a continuation of the surface of the cathode is designed to prevent wall charges (on the glass) from affecting the motion of the phories connected resistors R, RI and a group of resistors TI, 12 and 13, which areconnected in parallel with R and RI, is provided.
  • the anodes B, B are normally maintained at approximately the same voltage (lllV) by the potential drop developed, respectively, across resistors 1'! and RI.
  • the cathode C is connected to the negative terminal of the direct current source by a lead and the first multiplying electrode is connected to a point on R, indicated at IV somewhat more positive than the cathode.
  • the other electrodes 2 to 9, inclusive, in the order of their numbers, are shown connected to successively more positive points on the voltage divider.
  • the reference characters IV, 2V, 3V, etc., given to the several points on the resistors R and 1' will be understood to indicate that the voltage drop between the given electrode and the cathode is the designated whole number multiple of the drop existing between the cathode and the first multiplying electrode l.
  • the drop between electrodes 3 and C should preferably be 300 volts, that between the output electrode B and the cathode, 1000 volts.
  • two separate light beams are directed upon the photosensitive surface of the cathode C to there give rise to two discrete streams of photo-electrons.
  • the separate light beams may be derived from a common source exemplified by a lamp L, in which case a lens M may receive some of the light directly,
  • the lenses M and N are preferably so arranged with respect to the cathode C that the beams are directed to points which are laterally well spaced from each other on the photosensitive surface of C.
  • One of the light beams in this case the beam from the lens M, may be modulated as by passing the light through a moving picture film F which is suitably interposed in the space between the lens M and the photosensitive surface of the cathode C.
  • the quantity of electrons released [by the impress of the modulated light beam upon the cathode will, of course, be determined by the instantaneous intensity of that beam when it has passed through the film.
  • tron streams striking electrode I on opposite sides of its center, will cause the emission of two streams of secondary electrons, the number of electrons in each stream being dependent upon the intensity of the impinging primary stream.
  • the next electrode in point of electron travel is the second lower electrode 2.
  • the trajectories of the secondary electrons constituting the discrete electron streams from the first multiplying electrode 1 is such that the two streams impinge upon spaced areas upon the cupped surface of the second multiplying electrode 2.
  • a multiplication by reason of secondary emission is secured and this is repeated in any desired number of stages until the amplified and still separate modulated and unmodulated streams of secondary electrons are collected upon the inclined surfaces of the anodes B, Bl, respectively.
  • Method of controlling the gain of an electron-multiplier device which comprises generating two discrete electron streams in said device, directing said discrete electron streams to different areas of a common multiplying electrode, separately collecting the resulting multiplied electrons comprising each of said streams, and then controlling the passage of one of said electronstreams through said device by the current resulting from the collection of the electrons comprising the other of said electron streams.
  • Method of controlling the gain of an electron-multiplier device which comprises simultaneously producing a signal bearing and discrete non-signal bearing stream of electrons in said device, directing said discrete electron streams to difierent areas of a common multiplying electrode, separately collecting the resulting multiplied electrons comprising each of said streams and then controlling the passage of said signal bearing electron stream through said device by the current resulting from the collection 01. the electrons comprising said non-signal bearing electron stream.
  • Method of controlling the gain of an electron-multiplier device which comprises generating two discrete electron streams in said device, directing said discrete electron streams to different areas of a common multiplying electrode, separately collecting the resulting multiplied electrons comprising each of said streams and then controlling the multiplication of the electrons comprising one of said streams by the current resulting from the collection of the electrons in the other of said streams.

Landscapes

  • Measurement Of Current Or Voltage (AREA)
  • Photometry And Measurement Of Optical Pulse Characteristics (AREA)
  • Cathode-Ray Tubes And Fluorescent Screens For Display (AREA)
  • Cold Cathode And The Manufacture (AREA)
US222186A 1938-07-30 1938-07-30 Electron-multiplier system Expired - Lifetime US2198233A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL55462D NL55462C (en(2012)) 1938-07-30
US222186A US2198233A (en) 1938-07-30 1938-07-30 Electron-multiplier system
GB18253/39A GB530408A (en) 1938-07-30 1939-06-22 Improvements in or relating to electron multipliers

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US222186A US2198233A (en) 1938-07-30 1938-07-30 Electron-multiplier system

Publications (1)

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US2198233A true US2198233A (en) 1940-04-23

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US (1) US2198233A (en(2012))
GB (1) GB530408A (en(2012))
NL (1) NL55462C (en(2012))

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2418574A (en) * 1943-12-20 1947-04-08 Farnsworth Television & Radio Electron multiplier
US2431510A (en) * 1944-09-29 1947-11-25 Farnsworth Res Corp Photocell multiplier apparatus
US2431507A (en) * 1944-04-03 1947-11-25 Farnsworth Res Corp Electron multiplier
US2455899A (en) * 1943-11-18 1948-12-07 Farnsworth Res Corp Automatic signal level control
US2531951A (en) * 1944-08-02 1950-11-28 W I Westervelt Interference reducing method of secret communication
US2542822A (en) * 1947-09-27 1951-02-20 Westinghouse Electric Corp X-ray thickness gauge
US2564572A (en) * 1946-10-31 1951-08-14 Rca Corp Gain control system for facsimile scanning
US2565265A (en) * 1949-06-30 1951-08-21 Dow Chemical Co Stabilized electrooptical system
US2583132A (en) * 1947-03-27 1952-01-22 Westinghouse Electric Corp Inspection apparatus
US2663758A (en) * 1951-03-01 1953-12-22 Intelligent Machines Res Corp Apparatus for reading
US2754452A (en) * 1956-07-10 Headlight dimmer system
US3170032A (en) * 1961-06-22 1965-02-16 Dick Co Ab Facsimile-scanner with a.g.c. of output signal by multiplication of low and high definition signals
US3179801A (en) * 1958-09-23 1965-04-20 Serge A Scherbatskoy Stabilized scintillation detector system with comparison light pulses of constant amplitude to control the sensitivity of the system
US3218460A (en) * 1962-03-26 1965-11-16 Serge A Scherbatskoy Stabilized scintillation counter using photomultiplier
US3243588A (en) * 1962-08-17 1966-03-29 Serge A Scherbatskoy Scintillation detector system using a white light as a standard to stabilize the system
US3337737A (en) * 1963-04-10 1967-08-22 Itt Multiplier phototube with calibrating electron beam
US3444414A (en) * 1966-01-17 1969-05-13 Philips Corp Photomultiplier

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1045004B (de) * 1954-11-24 1958-11-27 Gasaccumulator Svenska Ab Photoelektrisches Geraet mit einer Roehre, die eine Photokathode und mindestens eine Anode enthaelt
CN110828277A (zh) * 2019-11-13 2020-02-21 上海裕达实业有限公司 集成式倍增检测装置

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2754452A (en) * 1956-07-10 Headlight dimmer system
US2455899A (en) * 1943-11-18 1948-12-07 Farnsworth Res Corp Automatic signal level control
US2418574A (en) * 1943-12-20 1947-04-08 Farnsworth Television & Radio Electron multiplier
US2431507A (en) * 1944-04-03 1947-11-25 Farnsworth Res Corp Electron multiplier
US2531951A (en) * 1944-08-02 1950-11-28 W I Westervelt Interference reducing method of secret communication
US2431510A (en) * 1944-09-29 1947-11-25 Farnsworth Res Corp Photocell multiplier apparatus
US2564572A (en) * 1946-10-31 1951-08-14 Rca Corp Gain control system for facsimile scanning
US2583132A (en) * 1947-03-27 1952-01-22 Westinghouse Electric Corp Inspection apparatus
US2542822A (en) * 1947-09-27 1951-02-20 Westinghouse Electric Corp X-ray thickness gauge
US2565265A (en) * 1949-06-30 1951-08-21 Dow Chemical Co Stabilized electrooptical system
US2663758A (en) * 1951-03-01 1953-12-22 Intelligent Machines Res Corp Apparatus for reading
US3179801A (en) * 1958-09-23 1965-04-20 Serge A Scherbatskoy Stabilized scintillation detector system with comparison light pulses of constant amplitude to control the sensitivity of the system
US3170032A (en) * 1961-06-22 1965-02-16 Dick Co Ab Facsimile-scanner with a.g.c. of output signal by multiplication of low and high definition signals
US3218460A (en) * 1962-03-26 1965-11-16 Serge A Scherbatskoy Stabilized scintillation counter using photomultiplier
US3243588A (en) * 1962-08-17 1966-03-29 Serge A Scherbatskoy Scintillation detector system using a white light as a standard to stabilize the system
US3337737A (en) * 1963-04-10 1967-08-22 Itt Multiplier phototube with calibrating electron beam
US3444414A (en) * 1966-01-17 1969-05-13 Philips Corp Photomultiplier

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Publication number Publication date
GB530408A (en) 1940-12-11
NL55462C (en(2012))

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