Solid state electron amplifier
AssigneeMurasa International
InventorsRobert A. Simms, Charley B. Burgett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A microscopic voltage controlled field emission electron amplifier device consists of a dense array of field emission cathodes with individual cathode impedances employed to modulate and control the field emission currents of the device. These impedances are selected to be sensitive to an external stimulus such as light, x-rays, infrared radiation or particle bombardment; so that the field emission current varies spacially in proportion to the intensity of the controlling stimulus. When a phosphorus screen or other suitable responsive element is provided, the device functions as a solid state image convertor or intensifier.
Claims49
A solid state electron amplifier including in combination:
- a substrate;
- a conductor on said substrate;
- an electron emitter cathode member with an enlarged base and a pointed tip;
- variable impedance means in series electrical circuit with said conductor and the base of said cathode member;
- an anode member spaced a predetermined distance from said emitter cathode member;
- means for applying an electrical bias voltage between said conductor and said anode member.
A solid state electron amplifier array including in combination:
- a substrate;
- conductor means on said substrate;
- a plurality of field emission electron emitter cathode members, each having an enlarged base and a pointed tip;
- separate impedance means between said conductor and the base of each of said emitter cathode members;
- anode members associated with each-of said emitter cathode members, said anode members being spaced a predetermined distance from the bases of the associated emitter cathode members;
- means for applying an electrical bias voltage between said conductor and said anode members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.