Exploratory Development for a Gateable Image Amplifier Tube for Night Photographic Reconnaissance.

摘要

Large area,high red response,gated image amplifiers are necessary to give the U.S. Air Force covertly illuminated,night photographic reconnaissance capability. The purpose of this program was to demonstrate the ability to form large area photocathodes with adequate red sensitivity and to generate experimental data to decide what form of gated image amplifier,magnetic or electrostatic focus,provides the most favorable combination of performance trade-offs. The large area photocathode work was done in a 146mm diameter format. The test cathodes were remote processes and in-vacuum sealed to diode tube bodies to permit out-of-station test and measurements. The highest sensitivity achieved was 291 microamps/lm with 20 microamps/W at 850nm. The spectral response curve integrated to 2.94% reference. Uniformity of response at 850nm was within 65% of peak over 80% of the active area. Gated magnetic and electrostatic 40mm diameter format tubes were built and evaluated. The magnetic tubes were the basic F4089type but with a mesh gating grid. The electrostatic tubes were the basic F4081type.