Streak Tube Electrode Potential Control for Temporal Resolution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for further improvement in temporal resolution in streak tubes to capture light emission phenomena occurring in extremely short times, particularly in high-energy fields and scientific measurement fields.
Innovation Solution
A streak tube design with a specific configuration of electrodes and potential control, including a third electrode with a potential higher than the first and second electrodes, forming an electron deceleration region near the opening portion, and using slit members to control electron trajectories, thereby reducing speed differences and improving temporal resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a negative potential is applied to the third electrode to form an electron deceleration region, then electrons are decelerated, but temporal resolution deteriorates due to increased speed difference among electrons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by applying a positive potential to the third electrode instead of a negative potential. This creates an electron acceleration region rather than a deceleration region, causing electrons to speed up uniformly as they pass through the electrode, thereby reducing speed differences and improving temporal resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the potential parameter of the third electrode from negative to positive, fundamentally altering the electric field characteristics. This parameter change transforms the electron interaction from deceleration to acceleration, eliminating the harmful speed differential that degrades temporal resolution
2Measurement precision
If additional electrodes are added to improve focusing, then electron focusing is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The third electrode serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a focusing element and a timing correction element. By applying a positive potential, it provides both spatial focusing and temporal synchronization of electrons, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components and simplifying the overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the focusing function and timing control function into a single third electrode structure. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the device while maintaining both focusing precision and temporal resolution
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 design effectively improves temporal resolution by reducing speed differences and spatial spreading of electron groups, enhancing the accuracy of capturing light emission phenomena.
Implementation Method 1
a photocathode provided in the container and configured to emit electrons in response to light to be measured incident from the incident panel
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of electrodes provided between the photocathode and the sweep electrode and forming an electron lens that focuses the electrons
Implementation Method 3
a sweep electrode provided in the container and including a pair of plate-shaped electrodes facing each other in a sweep direction along the output panel, the sweep electrode being configured to deflect the electrons in the sweep direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
A streak tube of an embodiment includes a container including an incident panel and an output panel, a photocathode, a sweep electrode, a plurality of electrodes provided between the photocathode and the sweep electrode and forming an electron lens that focuses the electrons, each of the plurality of electrodes being provided with an opening portion through which the electrons pass, and a controller configured to control a potential applied to at least one of the plurality of electrodes. The plurality of electrodes include a first electrode disposed at a position closest to the incident panel, a second electrode disposed at a position closest to the output panel, and a third electrode disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode to be spaced apart from the first electrode and the second electrode. The controller applies a potential higher than a potential of the first electrode and a potential of the second electrode to the third electrode.