Electron discharge device including an electron emissive electrode having an undulating cross-sectional contour

Abstract

An electron emissive surface portion on one of a series of electrodes includes a cross-sectional contour substantially characterized by a superimposed undulating line of curvature which includes a plurality of interconnected arcuate regions.

I claim: 
     
       1. An electron discharge device comprising: a. a series of at least two electron optically aligned electrodes;   b. means for emitting electrons from preceding ones of said series of electrodes comprising an electron emissive surface region on each preceding one of said series of electrodes;   c. means for accelerating electrons emitted from each electron emissive surface region to impinge upon a succeeding one of said electrodes; said emitted electrons being accelerated as a stream of electrons, from a first electrode of said series, to impinge upon succeeding ones of said series in non-repeating sequence;   d. one of said electrodes comprising an anode for ultimately collecting said electron stream;   e. wherein said electron emissive surface region of .[.the first.]. .Iadd.at least one other .Iaddend.of said series of electrodes includes.Iadd., across its width .Iaddend.a cross-sectional contour substantially characterized by an undulating line of curvature superimposed thereon which includes a plurality of interconnected arcuate regions.Iadd., said undulating line of curvature providing substantially uniform collection by a succeeding electrode of the electron stream emitted from the undulating surface region, substantially independent of the respective point of origin of various ones of the electrons along the cross-sectional contour.Iaddend.; and   f. means whereby said .[.first.]. .Iadd.other .Iaddend.electrode may be excited to a substantially single electrostatic field potential across the entire electron emissive surface portion characterized by said undulating line of curvature.   
     
     
       2. An electron discharge device in accordance with claim 1, additionally including a transparent envelope, and wherein said electron emissive surface region of said first electrode is photoemissive. 
     
     
       3. An electron discharge device in accordance with claim 1, additionally including: a. a transparent envelope, and   b. an semitransparent photocathode electrode on an inside surface portion of said transparent envelope.   
     
     
       4. An electron discharge device in accordance with claim 3, wherein said accelerating means includes: an electrostatic electron focusing electrode interposed between said photocathode electrode and said first electrode, said focusing electrode comprising an annular ring having a U-shaped cross-section, said ring including a centrally located aperture and inner and outer lip portions whereby electrons emitted from said photocathode are accelerated through said aperture to impinge upon said first electrode.   
     
     
       5. An electron discharge device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the outer lip portion of said annular ring defines a symmetrical lip taper relative to the axial portion of said ring. .Iadd. 6. An electron discharge device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said undulating line of curvature includes a succession of at least two curves curving in alternate directions. .Iaddend.