US2246172A - Electron multiplier tube - Google Patents

Electron multiplier tube Download PDF

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Publication number
US2246172A
US2246172A US152487A US15248737A US2246172A US 2246172 A US2246172 A US 2246172A US 152487 A US152487 A US 152487A US 15248737 A US15248737 A US 15248737A US 2246172 A US2246172 A US 2246172A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
electrode
electron
tube
electrodes
auxiliary
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
US152487A
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English (en)
Inventor
Rudolf C Hergenrother
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BAE Systems Aerospace Inc
Original Assignee
Hazeltine Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority to BE429033D priority Critical patent/BE429033A/xx
Application filed by Hazeltine Corp filed Critical Hazeltine Corp
Priority to US152487A priority patent/US2246172A/en
Priority to CH206302D priority patent/CH206302A/de
Priority to FR840435D priority patent/FR840435A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2246172A publication Critical patent/US2246172A/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
    • H01J43/06—Electrode arrangements
    • H01J43/18—Electrode arrangements using essentially more than one dynode
    • H01J43/22—Dynodes consisting of electron-permeable material, e.g. foil, grid, tube, venetian blind

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electron multiplier tubes and, more particularly,to such tubes in which the focusing or guiding of the. secondary electrons to the collector anode is accomplished entirely by the electrostatic field due to the main electrode alone. .7
  • Electron multiplier tubes generally comprise a cathode of any desired type for emitting, primary electrons, such as a thermionic or photosensitive element, a collector anode, at least one, but usually a plurality, of auxiliary electrodes having the property of high secondary electron emission and disposed serially between the cathode and the collector anode and'electromagnetic or electrostatic means for focusing or guiding the electrons from each electrodeto the successive electrode and finally to the collector anode.
  • the electrodes are energized at such relative potentials that, when electrons emitted from any electrode of the tube impinge upon a subsequent auxiliary electrode, a relatively larger number of secondary electrons are emitted therefrom.
  • electron multiplier tubes havegenerally required intense electromagnetic or electrostatic fields to. confine the streams of electrons from the several electrodes to their properpaths and to prevent a relatively large numberof primary electrons from the cathode and secondary electrons from auxiliary electrodes near the cathodefrom passing directly to the collector anode Without impinging upon the successive auxiliary electrodes and thus to ensure the maximum. multiplying action.
  • the chief defect of previous types of electron multiplier tubes is their focus requirement; that is, not only must the secondary electrons be drawn away from the multiplier electrode, but they must also be guided to the next electrode withina relatively limited area.
  • an object of the present invention therefore, to provide an improved electron multiplier tube in which the guiding or focusing of the electron stream from each of the several emitting electrodes to the successiveelectrode is accomplished solely by the electrostatic field due to the operating potentials of the electrodes themselves and which, at the same tim.e,-pr ovides an, amplification approaching the theoretical maximum.
  • an electron-multiplier tube comprises an electronemissiveelectrode, a collector anode, and one or more auxiliary electrodes having the property of high secondary emission.
  • Each of the auxiliary electrodes consist of a structure extend;- ing transversely across the tube and including a series of closely-spaced strip-like elements of a substantial dimension axial of the tube andinclined with respect to, the axis of the tube.
  • the auxiliary elements are so disposed between the electron-emissive electrode and anode, in relation to their normal operating potentials, that each auxiliary electrode intercepts a major portion of the electron emission from the preceding electrode and provides an unobstructed path for the fiow of secondary electrons emitted thereby to the succeeding electrode of the tube.
  • Fig. 1 is a diagrammaticyiew of an electron multiplier tube embodying the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective View of one of the auxiliary econdary electron emi-t ting electrodes of the tube of Fig. 1
  • Fig, 3 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of an electron multiplier tube embodying the present invention.
  • i H a v Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawing, there is shown an electron multi-.
  • plier tube which comprises an evacuated envelope I0 having disposed therein, in the order named, an indirectly heated thermionic cathode l I, a control grid I 2, a plurality of auxiliary electrodes l3, l4, and I5, a suppressor grid I 6, and a collector anode I1.
  • an evacuated envelope I0 having disposed therein, in the order named, an indirectly heated thermionic cathode l I, a control grid I 2, a plurality of auxiliary electrodes l3, l4, and I5, a suppressor grid I 6, and a collector anode I1.
  • auxiliary electrodes is, M, 1-5 are spaced at intervalsbetween the cathode H and the anode I1 and the; lectron-emissive surfaces of adjacentones of the electrodes I 3, t4, and 15 are inclined in opposite directions.
  • Electrodes may be stamped from sheet metal stock, thus providing an integral,.-'easilymanufactured, and inexpensive electrode, I
  • the rlower 'surfaces of the slats" I8 are coated with :a suitable. sub.- stance having high secondaryelectron emissivity, preferably a caesiumeoxide-silver compound 2- similar to well-known photosensitive surfaces, although other suitable electron-emissive surfaces may be used.
  • the auxiliary electrode 13 comprises a first row of aligned electron-emitting members 18;
  • the auxiliary electrode l4 comprises a second row of secondary electron-emitting members .I 8 substantially parallel to the first row of members, each member of the second row being opposite one of the electron-emitting members of electrode I3 and being mounted obliquely to the axis of alignment of the first row of such members;
  • the auxiliary electrode l5 comprises a third row of such members arranged in similar manner; and the anode ll comprises a collector electrode opposite all of the secondary electronemitting members.
  • the auxiliary electrode l5 comprises a plurality of aligned, parallel secondary electron-emitting surfaces mounted in a row and opposite the anode l1, these surfaces being mounted obliquely to the axis of alignment thereof, and the auxiliary electrode [4 comprises a plurality of electron-emitting members l8 opposite the aforesaid surfaces and substantially parallel thereto.
  • the several electrodes of the tube are adapted to be energized by operating potentials from any suitable source.
  • the several electrodes may be connected to suitable taps on a voltage divider resistor 20 so that the potential on the control grid is negative with respect to that of the cathode and the electrodes 13, i4, i5, and I! are energized at successively higher potentials.
  • the suppressor grid l6 operates in-a conventional manner to suppress secondary electron emission from the anode ll.
  • a leak resistor 21 may be included in the input or grid circuit, while a load resistor 22 may be included in the output circuit of the tube to develop, amplified signals for utilization in any desired manner.
  • each auxiliary electrode divides the-electron emission from the cathode ll into'a plurality of discreteblecitron; streams and substantially obstructs or physically'blocks the major portion of any free or direct path from the preceding electrode to the succeeding electrode,'that is,- be- 2' tween alternate electrodes, so that a major portion of the electron stream from each electronemitting electrode is intercepted by the successive auxiliary electrode which thereupon emits a relatively larger number of secondaryelectrons.
  • a substantially direct and-uh obstructed path is provided between adjacent electrodes so that the flow of the secondary electrons to the succeeding electrode is not onlyun- I impeded but assisted by the electrostatic field therebetween."
  • the electron stream from the cathode I l' is thus divided into a'plurality of discrete electron streams by the electrodes l3, l4 and I5 and each electrode directs these discrete electron streams upon successive ones of -the auxiliary electrodes, whereby substantially all. of the'electrons strike some part of each, auxiliary electrode'regardless of the degree of focusing of discrete electron streams upon corresponding portions of succeeding auxiliary electrodes.
  • FIG. 3 there is illustrated an electron multiplier tube embodying a modified form of the invention.
  • a photocathode 23 having a structure similar to that of each of the electrodes I3, l4, and l5 of Fig. 1.
  • the lower surfaces of the electrode-23 are photosensitive.
  • Light rays from a suitable source, indicated by a lamp 25, may be focused on the electrode 23 by means of a suitable lens system 24, thereby to effect the emission of photoelectrons.
  • the flow of primary and secondary electrons through the tube is thereafter. substantially the same as described with reference to Fig. 1.
  • the secondary emitting electrodes I30, Ma, and l5a are arranged in a slightly modified manner; that is, all of the slats or elements of the electrodes are inclined in the same direction and corresponding'elements of the several electrodes are in alignment, As in the arrangement of Fig. 1., a substantially unobstructed-path is provided for the flow of electrons between adjacent electrodes, while no direct or unimpeded path exists for the flow of electrons between alternate electrodes.
  • Fig. 3 The operation of the embodiment of the tube shown in Fig. 3 is substantially the same as that of Fig. 1.
  • the operating potential supplies and 'theinput and output circuit connections may be similar to those of Fig.1 or may be modified to suitthe application to which the tube is made.
  • An electron multiplier tube comprising an electron-emissive electrode, a collector anode, and one or more auxiliary electrodes having the property of high secondary electron emission, each of said auxiliary electrodes consisting of a structure extending transversely across the tube and havinga series of closely spaced strip-like elements of a substantial dimension axial of the tube and inclined with respect to the axis of the tube, said auxiliary electrodes being so disposed between said electron-emissive electrode and anode, in relation to their normal operating potentials; that each auxiliaryelectrodeintercepts a major portion of the electron emission from the'preceding electrode and provides an unobstructed path'for the fiow of secondary electrons emitted'thereby to the succeeding electrode of the tube.
  • An electron multiplier tube comprising an electronj-emissiveelectrode, acollector anode,
  • each of said auxiliary electrodes consisting'of a structure extending transversely. across the tube and ,havingaseries of closely spaced strip-like elements ofv a substantial dimension axial of the tube'and inclined --with.respec't to the axis ofthe tube, said auxiliary. electrodes being so disposed between .said electron-,emissive electrode. and anode, in relation to their. normal operating po-,- tentials, that each auxiliary electrode intercepts a major'portionv of the electronemission from the preceding electrode and provides an unobstructed path forthe flow of.
  • An electron multiplier tube comprisingan electron-emissive electrode, a collector anode, and oneor more, auxiliary electrodes having the property of. high secondary electron emission, each of said auxiliary electrodes consisting of a structure extending, transversely across the tube and having a series of closely spaced strip-like elements of a substantial dimension axial ofthe tube and inclined with respect to the axis fof the tube, said auxiliary electrodes being so diSDOSed between said electron-emissive electrode and anode, in relationto-their normaloperating potentials, that each auxiliary electrode intercepts a major portion of the electron emission from the preceding electrode and provides an unobstructed path for thefiowof secondary electrons emitted thereby to the succeeding electrode of the tube, and a control grid disposed between said electron-emissive electrode and said auxiliary electrodes for controlling the intensity of the electron stream.
  • An electron multiplier tube comprising an electron-emissive electrode, a collector anode, and one or more auxiliary electrodes having the property of high secondary electron emission, each of said auxiliary electrodes consisting of a structure extending transversely across the tube and having a series of closely spaced strip-like elements of a substantial dimension axial of the tube and inclined with respect to the axis of the tube, said auxiliary electrodes being so disposed between said electron-emissive electrode and' anode, in relation to their normal operating potentials, that each auxiliary electrode intercepts a major portion of the electron emission from the preceding electrode and provides an unobstructed path for the flow of secondary electrons emitted thereby to the succeeding electrode of the tube, said electrodes and anode being adapted to be energized at progressively higher operating potentials.
  • each auxiliary electrode intercepts a major portion of the electron emission irom the preceding electrode and provides an unobstructed path for the flow of secondary electrons emitted thereby to the sucseeding ele trode o the tube.
  • An electron multiplier tube comprising an electroneemissiye electrode, a collector anode, and a plurality of composite auxiliary electrodes, each of said auxiliary electrodes consisting of a louvre exte din t a sve se acr s e tube d 1 prising a plurality of closely spaced elements having parallel surfaces having the property of high secondary electron emission, said electrodes b ing Spaced 1 nte v s t efi .Sfli 6 91 ernissive, electmde and anode, the surfaces of the nemesi of ai a x iary electrodes being in clined with respect to the axis of the tube, and being arranged in axial alignment and so disposed, in relation to the normal operating potentials thereon, that each auxiliary electrode intercepts a major portion of the electron emission from the preceding electrode and provides an unobstructed path for the flow of secondary electrons emitted thereby to the succeed
  • An electron multiplier tube comprising an electron-emissive electrode, a collector anode, and a plurality of composite auxiliary electrodes, each of said auxiliary electrodes consisting of a louvre extending transversely across the tube and comprising a plurality of closely-spaced elements having parallel surfaces inclined with respect to the axis of the tube and having the property of high secondary electron emission, said electrodes being spaced at intervals between said electronemissive electrode and anode and the elements of alternate electrodes being staggered with respect to the other electrodes and so disposed, in relation to the normal operating potentials thereon, that said auxiliary electrode intercepts a major portion of the electron emission from the preceding electrode and provides an unobstructed path for the flow of secondary electrons emitted thereby to the succeeding electrode of the tube.
  • An electron multiplier tube comprising an electron-emissive electrode, a collector anode, one or more auxiliary electrodes, each of said auxiliary electrodes consisting of a structure extendmg transversely across the tube and comprising a plurality of closely spaced strip-like elements inclined with respect to the axis of the tube and of a substantial dimension axial of the tube and having the property of high secondary electron emission, said auxiliary electrodes being disposed between said electron-emissive electrode and anode with said elements so arranged in-relation 'to the normal operating potentials thereonthat said auxiliary electrodes divide theelectron emission from said first-mentioned electrode into a plurality of discrete electron streams, and that each auxiliary electrode intercepts the majorportion of the electron streams from-the preceding electrode and provides an unobstructed path for the flow of secondary electrons emitted thereby to the succeeding electrode of the tube.
  • An electron multiplier tube comprisingan elec-tron-emissive electrode, a collector'anode; and one or more auxiliary electrodes, each'of said auxiliary electrodes consisting of a-structure extending transversely across the tube and'comprising a series of closely spaced strip-like elements'of a substantial dimension axial of the tube and having surfaces inclined withrespect to the axis of'the tube having theproperty of high secondary electron emission, said auxiliary 1 electrodes being so disposed between said electron-emissive electrode and anode that each of said auxiliary electrodes physically blocks the major portion of the direct path between the electron-emitting surface of the preceding electrode and said collector anode and provides-an unobstructed path for the flow of electrons to the succeeding electrode of the tube;
  • An electron multiplier tube comprising an electron-emissive electrode, a collector anode, and
  • each of said auxiliary electrodes consisting of a structure extending transversely across the tube and comprising a plurality of closely spaced strip-like elements of a substantial dimension axial of the tube and provided with'surfaces inclined with respect to the axis of thetube having the property of high secondary electron emission,:said auxiliary electrodes being disposed between said electronemissive electrode and anode with said surfaces so arrangedin' relation to the normal operating potentials thereon that said auxiliaryelectrodes divide the electron emission from said first-mentioned electrode into a plurality of discrete electron streams and direct them upon successive auxiliary electrodes, whereby substantially all of theelectrons strike some part of each auxiliary electrode regardless of the degree of focusing of discrete electron streams upon corresponding portions of succeeding auxiliary electrodes.
  • An electron discharge device comprising a row of aligned electron emitting members, a second row of secondary electron emitting members substantially parallel to said first row, each member in said second row being opposite one of said first electron emitting members and mounted obliquely to the axis of alignment of said first members thereof, and a collector electrode opposite all of said secondary electron emitting members. 7 a
  • An electron discharge device comprising a collector electrode, a plurality of aligned, parallel secondary electron emitting surfaces mounted in a row and opposite said collector electrode, said surfaces being mounted obliquely to the axis of alignment thereof, and a plurality of electron emitting members opposite said surfaces and subs'tantially parallel thereto.

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US152487A 1937-07-08 1937-07-08 Electron multiplier tube Expired - Lifetime US2246172A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE429033D BE429033A (en:Method) 1937-07-08
US152487A US2246172A (en) 1937-07-08 1937-07-08 Electron multiplier tube
CH206302D CH206302A (de) 1937-07-08 1938-07-01 Elektronen-Multiplikatorröhre.
FR840435D FR840435A (fr) 1937-07-08 1938-07-07 Tube multiplicateur d'électrons

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US152487A US2246172A (en) 1937-07-08 1937-07-08 Electron multiplier tube

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US2246172A true US2246172A (en) 1941-06-17

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US152487A Expired - Lifetime US2246172A (en) 1937-07-08 1937-07-08 Electron multiplier tube

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US (1) US2246172A (en:Method)
BE (1) BE429033A (en:Method)
CH (1) CH206302A (en:Method)
FR (1) FR840435A (en:Method)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2443547A (en) * 1945-08-21 1948-06-15 Rca Corp Dynode
US2758790A (en) * 1951-04-02 1956-08-14 Hanson Gorrill Brian Inc Electronic counting tube and circuit
US3039016A (en) * 1957-07-06 1962-06-12 Emi Ltd Electrodes
US3253182A (en) * 1961-11-03 1966-05-24 Philips Corp Slotted electrode for an electron multiplier tube
US3392296A (en) * 1965-08-27 1968-07-09 Wagner Electric Corp Electron multiplier amplifier discharge device

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2443547A (en) * 1945-08-21 1948-06-15 Rca Corp Dynode
US2758790A (en) * 1951-04-02 1956-08-14 Hanson Gorrill Brian Inc Electronic counting tube and circuit
US3039016A (en) * 1957-07-06 1962-06-12 Emi Ltd Electrodes
US3253182A (en) * 1961-11-03 1966-05-24 Philips Corp Slotted electrode for an electron multiplier tube
US3392296A (en) * 1965-08-27 1968-07-09 Wagner Electric Corp Electron multiplier amplifier discharge device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE429033A (en:Method)
FR840435A (fr) 1939-04-25
CH206302A (de) 1939-07-31

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