Image intensifier tube
AssigneeVarian Associates, Inc.
InventorsBarry M. Singer, Amos Picker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An image intensifier tube comprising an input screen assembly which includes a photosensitive semiconductor wafer having a substrate of one conductivity type material forming a plurality of P-N junctions with a planar array of mutually isolated islands of opposite conductivity type material, the islands protruding substantially equal distances from a common surface of the substrate, an opaque film of resistive material overlying the exposed areas of the islands and the common surface of the substrate, a layer of electroluminescent material disposed in abutting relationship with the distal ends of the islands and a layer of photoemissive material disposed in axially aligned relationship with the electroluminescent layer.
Claims7
An image intensifier tube comprising:
- an evacuated envelope having an input faceplate and an output faceplate;
- an input screen assembly disposed within the envelope and axially aligned with the input faceplate, said input screen assembly including:
- a semiconductor wafer having a substrate of one conductivity-type material disposed adjacent the input faceplate and having a plurality of mutually isolated islands of opposite conductivity-type material disposed in the inner surface of the substrate, each island forming a respective P-N junction with the interfacing material of the substrate and having a respective exposed surface portion;
- a layer of electroluminescent material disposed adjacent said plurality of mutually isolated islands and axially aligned therewith;
- a photocathode disposed adjacent the electroluminescent layer and axially aligned therewith;
- and
- resistive means for electrically connecting respective islands of said opposite conductivity-type material with aligned incremental regions of the electroluminescent layer;
- an output screen assembly disposed within the envelope and axially aligned with the output faceplate, said output screen assembly including an imaging screen disposed adjacent the output faceplate;
- and
- electrode means for impressing a voltage across the mosaic array and the electroluminescent layer, and for establishing an electrostatic field between the photocathode and the imaging screen.
An image intesifier tube comprising:
- an evacuated evelope having an input faceplate and an output faceplate;
- a semiconductor wafer disposed within the envelope, adjacent the input faceplate and axially aligned therewith;
- said wafer having a substrate of one conductivity-type material disposed adjacent the input faceplate and having a plurality of mutually isolated islands of opposite conductivity-type material disposed in the inner surface of the substrate, each island forming a respective P-N junction with the interfacing material of the substrate and having a respective exposed surface portion;
- a coating of resistive material disposed on the inner surface of the substrate and exposed surface portions of the islands;
- a layer of electroluminescent material disposed on the resistive coated portions of said plurality of islands;
- a layer of photoemissive material disposed adjacent the inner surface of the electroluminescent layer and axially aligned therewith;
- a layer of luminescent material disposed within the envelope, adjacent the output faceplate and axially aligned therewith;
- a micro-channel plate disposed between the photoemissive layer and the luminescent layer, and in axially aligned spaced relationship therewith;
- and
- electrode means for impressing a voltage across the semiconductor wafer and the electroluminescent layer, and for establishing an electrostatic field between the photoemissive layer and the luminescent layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.