Graphene Ion Barrier Membrane for Electron Multiplying Vacuum Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electron multiplying vacuum tubes face significant challenges with ion feedback, which reduces signal output due to stray ions damaging vulnerable components and reducing primary electron transmission, despite efforts to minimize these effects through ion barrier membranes that also impede electron signal passage.
Innovation Solution
An ion barrier membrane composed of at least one atomic layer of graphene is used to shield vulnerable components from stray ions, offering improved ion blocking while minimizing electron loss, with the option to use multiple graphene layers for enhanced shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional ion barrier membrane is used to shield off stray ions, then ion feedback is reduced, but primary electron transmission is impeded and detective quantum efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the ion barrier membrane from conventional materials (such as aluminum oxide or silicon oxide with thicknesses of several tens of nanometers) to graphene material. This parameter change enables the membrane to achieve both high ion blocking capability and high electron transmission efficiency, resolving the contradiction between protecting against ion feedback and maintaining detective quantum efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs graphene as a composite material solution for the ion barrier membrane. Graphene's unique two-dimensional structure and material properties allow it to function as an effective ion barrier while maintaining high transparency to electrons, thus solving the contradiction between ion shielding and electron transmission that plagues conventional membrane materials.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the ion barrier membrane thickness is increased to improve ion blocking, then ion feedback is reduced, but electron signal transmission is further impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thickness parameter of the ion barrier membrane by using single-layer or few-layer graphene structure. This ultrathin configuration provides sufficient ion blocking capability due to graphene's high strength and dense atomic structure, while minimizing electron scattering and transmission loss, thus resolving the contradiction between ion blocking effectiveness and electron signal preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts an ultrathin graphene membrane that can be produced as a single-layer or few-layer structure. This ultra-thin barrier provides the necessary protection against ion feedback while having minimal impact on electron transmission, effectively solving the contradiction between adequate ion shielding and maintaining high electron signal transmission efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The graphene ion barrier effectively prevents ion feedback, maintaining high detective quantum efficiency by being impermeable to ions while allowing primary electrons to pass with minimal loss, thereby enhancing the performance of electron multiplying structures in vacuum tubes.
Implementation Method 1
a photocathode capable of releasing electrons into said vacuum chamber when exposed to light
Implementation Method 2
electric field means for accelerating said released electrons from said photocathode towards an anode
Implementation Method 3
the channel plate comprises a stack of hollow tubes, e.g. hollow glass fibres, extending between an input face and an output face. A (voltage) potential difference is applied between the input face and the output face of the channel plate, such that an electron entering a channel at the input face moves in the direction of the output face, in which displacement the number of electrons is increased by secondary emission effects.
Implementation Method 4
an ion barrier membrane composed of at least one atomic layer of graphene is used to shield vulnerable components from stray ions
Data Source
AI summary
An electron multiplying structure for use in a vacuum tube using electron multiplying comprises an input face to be oriented in a facing relationship with an entrance window of the vacuum tube, an output face to be oriented in a facing relationship with a detection surface of the vacuum tube, as well as an ion barrier membrane for shielding off stray ions. The vacuum tube uses electron multiplying having a photocathode capable of releasing electrons into the vacuum chamber when exposed to light, electric field device for accelerating the released electrons from the photocathode towards an anode spaced apart from the photocathode in a facing relationship, as well as an electron multiplying structure. An ion barrier membrane is used in a vacuum tube and/or an electron multiplying structure. The ion barrier membrane is composed of at least one atomic layer containing graphene.