Abstract:
987,522. Cathode-ray storage tubes. CSF-COMPAGNIE GENERALE DE TELEGRAPHIE SANS FIL. May 22, 1963 [June 7, 1962], No. 20346/63. Heading H1D. A cathode-ray storage tube comprises a storage grid on which a first charge pattern representative of an image is produced, a flooding electron source, a storage target exhibiting the property of bombardmentinduced-conductivity and positioned to receive flood electrons which have passed through the storage grid, and a reading electron gun for scanning the second charge pattern produced on the target to derive an electric output signal. The tube shown in Fig. 1 comprises a flooding gun 10-12, a writing gun 2-4, a storage grid 20 and a collector grid 19, similar to the corresponding elements of a direct-view charge-storage tube, the number of slow flooding electrons which are able to pass through storage grid 20 being determined in accordance with the positive charge pattern produced on grid 20 by fast writing electrons. The modulated flooding beam is then accelerated so as to produce a conductivity pattern in a target 22, comprising a metal mesh supporting a metal film and a BIC layer of zinc sulphide, the free surface of which is initially stabilized at a positive potential by scanning with the reading beam from gun 36. Further scanning with the reading beam produces an output signal at collector 28 and/or target 22. Since signals are stored both at grid 20 and at target 22, a first signal may be erased only at grid 20 and further signals may be superimposed on the first at target 22. In an alternative arrangement, the writing gun is replaced by a photocathode 49, Fig. 5, irradiated with a visible or invisible light image or with X-rays or #-rays, an annular flooding gun 59 being used.