Patent Application
20230071586
The present invention relates to an electron tube, an imaging device, and an electromagnetic wave detection device.
Typically there are four types of electron emission such as thermionic emission (achieved by heating electrode), photoelectric emission (achieved by application of photons), secondary emission (achieved by bombarding light speed electron), and field emission (achieved in the presence of electrostatic field). Known a detector detects an electromagnetic wave (see, for example, US Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0216201). A system described in Patent Literature 1 is provided with a substrate with a metamaterial structure. The system detects a terahertz-wave (for example, electromagnetic wave of frequencies of 100 GHz up to around 30 THz) among the electromagnetic wave which is incident on the substrate.
Patent Literature 1: US Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0216201
In the system described in Patent Literature 1, when the electromagnetic wave is incident on the substrate with the metamaterial structure, the substrate emits an electron. The electron emitted from the substrate excites a molecule included in the gas surrounding the substrate, for example, atmosphere. The excited molecule generates light. A photo sensor detects the generated light.
An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an electron tube that can ensure detection accuracy of an electromagnetic wave. An object of another aspect of the present invention is to provide an imaging device that can ensure detection accuracy of an electromagnetic wave. An object of further the other aspect of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic wave detection device that ensures detection accuracy of an electromagnetic wave.
An electron tube according to one aspect of the present invention is provided with a housing, an electron emitter and a holder. The housing is sealed and includes a window transmitting an electromagnetic wave. The electron emitter is disposed in the housing and includes a meta-surface, a first electrode, and a second electrode.
The meta-surface is arranged to emit an electron in response to incidence of the electromagnetic wave. The first electrode and the second electrode are spaced away from each other and are respectively arranged to apply potentials different from each other to the meta-surface. The holder is disposed in the housing and holds the electron emitter. The meta-surface includes a first conductive line and a second conductive line. The first conductive line is electrically connected to the first electrode. The second conductive line is spaced away from the first conductive line and is electrically connected to the second electrode. The first conductive line extends from the first electrode toward the second conductive line. The second conductive line extends from the second electrode toward the first conductive line.
In the one aspect, the electron emitter having the meta-surface is held in the housing sealed by the holder. The first conductive line included in the meta-surface is electrically connected to the first electrode, and the second conductive line included in the meta-surface is electrically connected to the second electrode. In the electron tube, the election emission in the meta-surface can be improved or suppressed in response to the electromagnetic wave passed through the window by applying potentials different from each other to the first electrode and the second electrode. Therefore, detection accuracy of the electromagnetic wave entering the electron tube can be ensured by observing the electron emitted from the electron emitter using the electron tube.
In the one aspect, the holder may include a first conductive terminal and a second conductive terminal that are spaced away from each other. The first electrode may be electrically connected to the first conductive terminal. The second electrode may be electrically connected to the second conductive terminal. In this case, a voltage can be applied to the electron emitter through the holder. Therefore, the number of parts in the electron tube is reduced and the electron tube is made compact.
In the one aspect, the housing may include a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer that are provided on an inner surface of the housing. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer may be spaced away from each other. The first conductive terminal may be in contact with the first conductive layer.
The second conductive terminal may be in contact with the second conductive layer. In this case, the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, provided on the inner surface of the housing, can apply potentials to the first conductive terminal and the second conductive terminal Therefore, the electron tube is made compact.
In the one aspect, the holder may include a plurality of springs. The plurality of springs may be arranged to apply energizing force to the inner surface of the housing, the spring positioning the holder with respect to the housing due to the energizing force. The plurality of springs may include at least one of the first conductive terminal and the second conductive terminal. In this case, in spite of any certain amount of deformation due to a manufacturing error or a change in temperature in each of the members of the electron tube, the holder is stably held to the housing. The potentials can be applied to the electron emitter through the springs.
In the one aspect, the holder may include a holding body and a contact electrode. The holding body may have a penetration opening and be in contact with the electron emitter. The contact electrode may be in contact with one of the first electrode and the second electrode and be spaced away from the holding body. The meta-surface and the one being in contact with the contact electrode may be exposed from the penetration opening and be spaced away from an edge of the penetration opening. In this case, the one being in contact with the contact electrode is prevented from being in contact with the holding body. Therefore, a desired electrical connection structure can be achieved between the first electrode and the second electrode with a simple structure.
In the one aspect, the electron emitter may include a substrate having a first principal surface and a second principal surface that face each other. The meta-surface may be provided on the first principal surface.
In one aspect, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode may be spaced away from an entire edge of the first principal surface. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode can be easily prevented from being in contact with the holder as long as being spaced away from the entire edge of the first principal surface. Therefore, a desired electrical connection structure can be achieved between the holder and the first and second electrodes with a simple structure.
In the one aspect, the holder may include a base member and an energizing member. The base member may be in contact with the second principal surface. The energizing member may be in contact with an edge of the first principal surface and be arranged to energize the electron emitter to the base member. The energizing member may electrically connect the second electrode. In this case, in spite of any certain amount of deformation due to a manufacturing error or a change in temperature in each of the members of the electron tube, the electron emitter is stably held to the base member. A voltage can be applied to the electron emitter through the energizing member.
In the one aspect, one of the first electrode and the second electrode may be an electrode arranged to connect a ground.
In the one aspect, one of the first conductive line and the second conductive line may include an antenna portion and a bias portion. The antenna portion may be arranged to emit an electron in response to incidence of the electromagnetic wave. The bias portion may be arranged to generate an electric field with the other of the first conductive line and the second conductive line.
In the one aspect, the second conductive line may be arranged to emit an electron in response to incidence of the electromagnetic wave when a bias potential is applied to the first electrode. The first conductive line may be arranged to emit an electron in response to incidence of the electromagnetic wave when a bias potential is applied to the second electrode.
In the one aspect, the second conductive line may include an antenna portion arranged to emit an electron in response to incidence of the electromagnetic wave. The first conductive line may include a bias portion arranged to generate an electric field with the antenna portion when a bias potential is applied to the first electrode. In this case, the potential can be tilted around the antenna portion. Thus, the electron emission can be improved or suppress in the meta-surface.
In the one aspect, the first conductive line may include a first end portion being in contact with the first electrode, and a second end portion electrically connecting the first end portion. The second conductive line may include a third end portion being in contact with the second electrode, and a fourth end portion electrically connecting the third end portion. The second end portion may be disposed closer to the fourth end portion than all parts other than the second end portion in the first conductive line. In this case, the intensity of an electric field generated between the second end portion and the fourth end portion is improved, and a potential around the antenna portion is further tilted. Thus, the election emission can be improved or suppressed in the meta-surface.
In the one aspect, the second conductive line may include a linear portion extending on a virtual straight line extending from the fourth end portion. The second end portion may be located on the virtual straight line. In this case, the electron emitted in the fourth end portion hits against the second end portion and is amplified. Thus, the electron emission is improved in the meta-surface.
In the one aspect, the second conductive line may include a linear portion extending on a virtual straight line extending from the fourth end portion. The second end portion may not be located on the virtual straight line. In this case, amplification of the electron emitted in the fourth end portion, caused by the second end portion, is suppressed. As a result, the electron at an amount depending on the electromagnetic wave passed through the window is emitted from the meta-surface. Therefore, the amplitude of the electromagnetic wave passed through the window can be more accurately detected.
In the one aspect, the electron tube may further include an electron multiplying unit and an electron collecting unit. The electron multiplying unit may be disposed in the housing and be arranged to multiply the electron emitted from the electron emitter. The electron collecting unit may be disposed in the housing and be arranged to collect electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying unit. The housing may be internally held in a vacuum. In this case, the electron emitted from the electron emitter is collected in the electron collecting unit after being amplified in the electron multiplying unit. Therefore, in spite of a compact structure, detection accuracy can be ensured for the electromagnetic wave which is incident from the window.
In the one aspect, the electron multiplying unit and the electron collecting unit may be a diode and may be integrally configured. In this case, a size of the electron tube can be further reduced.
In the one aspect, the electron multiplying unit may include a plurality of dynodes separated from each other. The electron collecting unit may include an anode or a diode arranged to collect the electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying unit. In this case, the electron emitted from the meta-surface is multiplied by a plurality of dynodes. Therefore, a multiplication factor of the electrons collected by the anode or the diode is improved.
In the one aspect, the electron multiplying unit may include a microchannel plate. The electron collecting unit may include an anode or a diode arranged to collect the electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying unit. In this case, a size, a weight, and power consumption are reduced and a response speed and a gain are improved, as compared with a case where the electron multiplying unit includes a plurality of dynodes.
In the one aspect, the electron multiplying unit may include a microchannel plate. The electron collecting unit may include a fluorescent body arranged to receive the electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying unit and emit light. In this case, two-dimensional positions of the electron emitted from the meta-surface can be detected by the light emitted from the fluorescent body.
An imaging device according to another aspect of the present invention includes the electron tube and an imaging unit configured to capture an image based on the light from the fluorescent body. In another aspect, detection accuracy of the electromagnetic wave is ensured.
An electromagnetic wave detecting device according to further the other aspect of the present invention includes the electron tube and a light detector. The light detector is arranged to detect light. The housing houses a gas for emitting light due to an electron emitted from the meta-surface. The light detector is arranged to detect light due to light emission of the gas.
In further the other aspect, the gas may include air, argon gas, or nitrogen gas.
According to one aspect of the present invention, an electron tube that can ensure detection accuracy of an electromagnetic wave is provided. According to another aspect of the present invention, an imaging device that can ensure detection accuracy of an electromagnetic wave is provided. According to further the other aspect of the present invention, an electromagnetic wave detection device that ensures detection accuracy of an electromagnetic wave is provided.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same functions will be denoted with the same reference numerals and a redundant explanation will be omitted.
First, a configuration of an electron tube according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
An electron tube 1 is a photomultiplier tube that outputs an electric signal in response to incidence of an electromagnetic wave. In the present specification, the “electromagnetic wave” incident on the electron tube is an electromagnetic wave included in a frequency band from a so-called millimeter wave to infrared light. When the electromagnetic wave is incident, the electron tube 1 internally emits electron and multiplies the emitted electron. In the embodiment, the electron tube 1 makes the electromagnetic wave be incident on a photoelectric surface and multiplies the electron emitted by external photoelectric effect from the photoelectric surface. The electron tube 1 includes a housing 10, an electron emitter 20, a holder 30, an electron multiplying unit 40 and an electron collecting unit 50.
The housing 10 includes a valve 11 and a stein 12. An inner portion of the housing 10 is airtightly sealed with the valve 11 and the stein 12. In the embodiment, the inner portion of the housing 10 is held in a vacuum. The vacuum includes not only an absolute vacuum but also a state where the housing is filled with gas having a pressure lower than an atmospheric pressure. For example, the inner portion of the housing 10 is held at 1×10−4 to 1×10−7 Pa. The valve 11 includes a window 11a having an electromagnetic wave transparency. In the present specification, the “electromagnetic wave transparency” means a property of transmitting at least a partial frequency band of the incident electromagnetic wave. In the embodiment, the housing 10 has a circular cylindrical shape. The stein 12 configures a bottom surface of the housing 10. The valve 11 configures a side surface of the housing 10 and a bottom surface facing the stein 12.
The window 11a configures a bottom surface facing the stein 12. For example, the window 11a has a circular shape in plan view. A frequency characteristic of transmittance of the electromagnetic wave is different depending on a material. Therefore, the window 11a is configured by an appropriate material depending on a frequency band of the electromagnetic wave entering the electron tube 1. For example, the window 11a includes at least one selected from quartz, silicon, germanium, sapphire, zinc selenide, zinc sulfide, magnesium fluoride, lithium fluoride, barium fluoride, calcium fluoride, magnesium oxide, calcium carbonate, and chalcogenide glass. The window 11a configured by the material selected from them enables an electromagnetic wave having an arbitrary frequency band between millimeter wave and infrared light to be guided into the inner portion of the housing 10. For example, the quartz may be selected as a material of a member transmitting an electromagnetic wave having a frequency band of 0.1 to 5 THz, the silicon may be selected for a material of a member transmitting an electromagnetic wave having a frequency band of 0.04 to 11 THz and 46 THz or more, the magnesium fluoride may be selected for a material of a member transmitting an electromagnetic wave having a frequency band of 40 THz or more, the germanium may be selected for a material of a member transmitting an electromagnetic wave having a frequency band of 13 THz or more, and the zinc selenide may be selected for a material of a member transmitting an electromagnetic wave having a frequency band of 14 THz or more.
The electron tube 1 includes a plurality of wires 13 for enabling electrical connection between an outer portion and an inner portion of the housing 10. The plurality of wires 13 is, for example, lead wires or pins. In the embodiment, the plurality of wires 13 is pins penetrating the stein 12 and extend from the inner portion of the housing 10 to the outer portion thereof. At least one of the plurality of wires 13 is connected to various members provided in the inner portion of the housing 10.
The housing 10 has conductive layers 15 and 16 provided in an inner surface 10a of the housing 10. The conductive layers 15 and 16 are spaced away from each other. Potentials different from each other are applied to the conductive layers 15 and 16 from an external portion of the housing 10. The conductive layer 15 has an elliptical shape in plan view. The conductive layer 15 extends along a tube axis TA of the housing 10. The conductive layer 15 extends in a direction from the window 11a toward the stein 12.
The conductive layer 16 is provided around the window 11a. The conductive layer 16 surrounds the holder 30 around the tube axis TA along the inner surface 10a of the housing 10. In an extending direction of the conductive layer 15, the conductive layer 16 is provided in an area closer to the window 11a than the conductive layer 15. The conductive layer 16 extends along the tube axis TA of the housing 10 at a position facing the conductive layer 15. Therefore, the conductive layer 16 also includes a portion extending in the direction from the window 11a toward the stein 12. In the embodiment, the shortest distance between the conductive layer 15 and the conductive layer 16 is about 1 mm. The conductive layers 15 and 16 are formed by evaporating a metal on the inner surface 10a of the housing 10. Materials of the conductive layers 15 and 16 include aluminum, for example. When the conductive layer 15 is a first conductive layer, the conductive layer 16 is a second conductive layer.
The electron emitter 20 is disposed in the inner portion of the housing 10 and emits electron in response to the incidence of the electromagnetic wave in the inner portion of the housing 10. The electron emitter 20 includes a substrate 21 and a meta-surface S. The substrate 21 has a principal surface 21a and a principal surface 21b facing each other. In the embodiment, the substrate 21 has a plate shape. For example, when the principal surface 21a configures the second principal surface, the principal surface 21b configures the first principal surface.
The principal surface 21a and the principal surface 21b are disposed in parallel to the window 11a. The principal surface 21a faces the window 11a. The principal surface 21a includes an incidence surface 22 on which the electromagnetic wave passed through the window 11a is incident. The substrate 21 has an electromagnetic wave transparency for the electromagnetic wave passed through the window 11a. Therefore, the substrate 21 transmits at least a part of a frequency band of the electromagnetic wave passed through the window 11a. The material of the substrate 21 includes, for example, quartz. The material of the substrate 21 may include, for example, silicon. The substrate 21 has a rectangular shape in plan view. The substrate 21 is spaced away from the window 11a and the electron multiplying unit 40.
The meta-surface S emits the electron in response to the incident of the electromagnetic wave. The meta-surface S is included in an oxide layer or a metal layer patterned on the substrate 21. The material of the oxide layer is, for example, silicon dioxide and titanium oxide. The material of the metal layer is, for example, gold. In the embodiment, the oxide layer is formed on the principal surface 21b of the substrate 21 made of quartz, and the metal layer is formed on the oxide layer. The meta-surface S has a rectangular shape in plan view. In the embodiment, the meta-surface S is provided on the principal surface 21b. The meta-surface S may be provided on the principal surface 21a.
The holder 30 holds the electron emitter 20 in the inner portion of the housing 10. The holder 30 is positioned to the inner surface 10a of the housing 10. The holder 30 positions the electron emitter 20 for the housing 10. The holder 30 has a frame shape along the inner surface 10a of the housing 10, and a penetration opening 31 is formed in the holder 30. The incidence surface 22 of the electron emitter 20 and the meta-surface S are disposed in an inner side of an edge defining the penetration opening 31 as seen from an orthogonal direction to the principal surfaces 21a and 21b of the electron emitter 20. In a state where the holder 30 is positioned to the housing 10, the tube axis TA of the housing 10 passes the penetration opening 31. The holder 30 is positioned to the housing 10 so that an optical axis (hereinafter, refer to as “axis of holder 30”) of the electromagnetic wave passing through the penetration opening 31 is in parallel to the tube axis TA of the housing 10. An axis HA of the holder 30 is orthogonal to the principal surfaces 21a and 21b of the electron emitter 20. The holder 30 is connected to at least one of the plurality of wires 13. In the embodiment, the holder 30 applies a voltage to the electron emitter 20.
The holder 30 has conductive terminals 33 and 34. The conductive terminal 33 and the conductive terminal 34 are spaced away from each other. Potentials different from each other are applied to the conductive terminal 33 and the conductive terminal 34 through the conductive layers 15 and 16. The conductive terminal 33 extends toward the conductive layer 15, and is elastically in contact with the conductive layer 15. Therefore, the conductive terminal 33 is electrically connected to the conductive layer 15. The conductive terminal 34 extends toward the conductive layer 16, and is elastically in contact with the conductive layer 16. Therefore, the conductive terminal 34 is electrically connected to the conductive layer 16. When the conductive terminal 33 is a first conductive terminal, the conductive terminal 34 is a second conductive terminal.
The electron multiplying unit 40 is disposed in the inner portion of the housing 10 and includes an incidence surface 40a on which the electron emitted from the electron emitter 20 is incident. The electron multiplying unit 40 multiplies the electron entering the incidence surface 40a. In the embodiment, the principal surface 21b of the electron emitter 20 faces the incidence surface 40a of the electron multiplying unit 40. The meta-surface S faces the incidence surface 40a of the electron multiplying unit 40 and the electron emitted from the meta-surface S enters the incidence surface 40a. The principal surface 21a of the electron emitter 20 faces the window 11a of the housing 10.
In the present specification, “A faces B” means that B is located in a normal direction of A rather than a plane contacting A. In other words, “A faces B” means that, when a space is bisected by a surface contacting A, B is located at the A side, not the back side of A. For example, in the electron tube 1, as described above, the meta-surface S faces the incidence surface 40a of the electron multiplying unit 40. This means that the incidence surface 40a of the electron multiplying unit 40 is located in a normal direction of the meta-surface S rather than a plane contacting the meta-surface S.
In the embodiment, as illustrated in
The focusing electrode 41 has conductive terminals 43 and 44 spaced away from each other. Potentials different from each other are applied to the conductive terminal 43 and the conductive terminal 44 through the conductive layers 15 and 16. One of the conductive layer 15 and the conductive layer 16 may be a ground. The conductive terminal 43 extends toward the conductive layer 15 and is elastically in contact with the conductive layer 15. Therefore, the conductive terminal 43 is electrically connected to the conductive layer 15. The conductive terminal 44 extends toward the conductive layer 16 and is elastically in contact with the conductive layer 16. Therefore, the conductive terminal 44 is electrically connected to the conductive layer 16.
The electron collecting unit 50 is disposed in the inner portion of the housing 10 and collects the electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying unit 40. In the embodiment, the electron collecting unit 50 includes a mesh-like anode 51. The anode 51 is located closer to the stein 12 than the principal surface 21b of the electron emitter 20. One of the plurality of wires 13 is connected to the anode 51. A predetermined potential is applied to the anode 51 through the wire 13. The anode 51 catches the electrons multiplied by the dynodes 42a and 42b. The electron collecting unit 50 may include a diode instead of the anode 51.
In the embodiment, the electron tube 1 includes a pair of insulating substrates 52 that secure the dynodes 42a and 42b and the anode 51 to the inner portion of the housing 10. The pair of insulating substrates 52 is made of alumina. The pair of insulating substrates 52 opposes each other. The dynodes 42a and 42b include a pair of end portions extending in a direction where the pair of insulating substrates 52 opposes each other. The anode 51 includes a pair of end portions extending in the direction where the pair of insulating substrates 52 opposes each other. The end portions of the dynodes 42a and 42b and the anode 51 are inserted into slit-like through-holes previously provided in the pair of insulating substrates 52.
The electron tube 1 includes a shielding plate 55 surrounding a part of the dynodes 42a and 42b and the anode 51. The shielding plate 55 prevents light and ions generated by the collision of the electrons multiplied by the dynodes 42a and 42b from being scattered in the inner portion of the housing 10. The shielding plate 55 is connected to one of the plurality of wires 13. A predetermined potential is applied to the shielding plate 55 through the wire 13.
Next, a configuration of the holder 30 will be described in detail with reference to
The holder 30 has a contact member 60 and a holding body 70. The contact member 60 engages with the holding body 70. The holding body 70 has the penetration opening 31 described above. The principal surface 21a and the principal surface 21b of the electron emitter 20 are exposed from the penetration opening 31. The meta-surface S is exposed from the penetration opening 31.
As illustrated in
In a state where the holder 30 is positioned in the housing 10, the washer 61, the insulating body 62, the holding body 70, the insulating body 63 and the attaching board 64 are disposed in this order from the window 11a side. The holding body 70 is located between the insulating body 62 and the insulating body 63. Each of the washer 61, the insulating body 62, the insulating body 63, the attaching board 64, and the holding body 70 has a through-hole 60a. The post electrode 66 is inserted into the through-hole 60a of each of the conductive terminal 33, the washer 61, the insulating body 62, the insulating body 63, the attaching board 64 and the holding body 70. The contact member 60 is fixed to the holding body 70 by the post electrode 66.
Each of the insulating bodies 62 and 63 has an insulation property. Each of the conductive terminal 33, the washer 61, the attaching board 64, the contact electrode 65, and the post electrode 66 has electrical conductivity. A material of the insulating bodies 62 and 63 includes, for example, ceramic. A material of the washer 61 and the attaching board 64 includes, for example, stainless steel. A material of the conductive terminal 33 and the contact electrode 65 includes, for example, stainless steel. A material of the post electrode 66 includes, for example, nickel.
The conductive terminal 33 is insulated from the holding body 70 at least when the electron tube 1 does not operate. The conductive terminal 33 is electrically connected to the contact electrode 65. The contact electrode 65 is electrically connected to the electron emitter 20. The conductive terminal 33 is electrically connected to the electron emitter 20 through the contact electrode 65. The contact electrode 65 is spaced away from the holding body 70.
The holding body 70 includes a base member 71, a frame member 72, an intermediate member 73, a first positioning member 74, a second positioning member 75 and a pin electrode 76. In a state where the holder 30 is positioned in the housing 10, the base member 71, the frame member 72, the intermediate member 73, the first positioning member 74 and the second positioning member 75 are disposed in this order from the window 11a side. The holding body 70 is in contact with the electron emitter 20. The contact member 60 engages with the first positioning member 74 and the base member 71. The base member 71, the frame member 72, the intermediate member 73, the first positioning member 74 and the second positioning member 75 are welded each other in a state where they hold the electron emitter 20.
The base member 71 has a flat plate portion 71c on which an opening 71a and a through-hole 71b are formed. The base member 71 is in contact with the principal surface 21a of the electron emitter 20 on the flat plate portion 71c. The opening 71a forms the penetration opening 31 of the holding body 70. The base member 71 is in contact with the principal surface 21a of the electron emitter 20 on an edge portion defining the opening 71a. The incidence surface 22 of the electron emitter 20 is exposed from the opening 71a. The opening 71a has a rectangular shape or a circular shape. In the embodiment, the opening 71a has a rectangular shape. A pin electrode 76 is inserted into the through-hole 71b.
In the embodiment, as illustrated in
The frame member 72 is located between the base member 71 and the intermediate member 73. The frame member 72 has a flat plate portion 72c on which an opening 72a and a through-hole 72b are formed. The opening 72a forms the penetration opening 31 of the holder 30. The opening 72a of the frame member 72 has a shape along an edge of the electron emitter 20. The frame member 72 surrounds the edge of the electron emitter 20. An edge of the opening 72a is in contact with the edge of the electron emitter 20. The frame member 72 restricts movement of the electron emitter 20 in a direction orthogonal to the principal surfaces 21a and 21b by the edge of the opening 72a. The opening 72a has a rectangular shape or a circular shape. In the embodiment, the opening 72a has a rectangular shape.
The frame member 72 positions the electron emitter 20 for the holder 30 in the direction orthogonal to the axis HA of the holder 30. A thickness T1 of the frame member 72 is equal to or less than a thickness T2 of the electron emitter 20. In the embodiment, the thickness T1 of the frame member 72 is smaller than the thickness T2 of the electron emitter 20.
The frame member 72 includes a first conductive portion 72d, an insulating portion 72e and a second conductive portion 72f. The insulating portion 72e is located between the first conductive portion 72d and the second conductive portion 72f. The opening 72a of the frame member 72 is defined by the insulating portion 72e and the second conductive portion 72f. The second conductive portion 72f and the insulating portion 72e are in contact with the electron emitter 20, however, the first conductive portion 72d is not in contact with the electron emitter 20. The through-hole 72b is formed in the insulating portion 72e. The pin electrode 76 is inserted into the through-hole 72b. The insulating portion 72e is fixed to the base member 71 by the pin electrode 76.
The intermediate member 73 includes a spacer 73a and a fixed portion 73b. The spacer 73a and the fixed portion 73b are spaced away from each other. The spacer 73a has a flat plate shape, and has the same thickness as the fixed portion 73b. The spacer 73a is in contact with the first conductive portion 72d. The first conductive portion 72d is sandwiched between the spacer 73a and the base member 71. The fixed portion 73b has a flat plate portion 73c and a plurality of energizing portions 73d. In the embodiment, the flat plate portion 73c and the plurality of energizing portions 73d are integrally formed. The flat plate portion 73c is in contact with the second conductive portion 72f, and each of the energizing portions 73d is in contact with the electron emitter 20. The second conductive portion 72f is sandwiched between the flat plate portion 73c and the base member 71. An edge of the spacer 73a and an edge of the fixed portion 73b form the penetration opening 31 of the holder 30.
Each of the energizing portions 73d has a plate shape, and functions as a plate spring energizing the electron emitter 20 to the base member 71. Therefore, the intermediate member 73 functions as an energizing member energizing the electron emitter 20 to the base member 71. Each of the energizing portions 73d is integrally formed flush with the flat plate portion 73c in a state before being in contact with the electron emitter 20. Each of the energizing portions 73d protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the axis HA of the holder 30 from the flat plate portion 73c toward the axis HA. In other words, each of the energizing portions 73d extends closer to the center of the penetration opening 31 from the flat plate portion 73c.
Each of the energizing portions 73d is in contact with the edge of the principal surface 21b and elastically energizes the electron emitter 20 to the flat plate portion 71c of the base member 71 by applying an energizing force F1 to the edge. Each of the energizing portions 73d is electrically connected to the principal surface 21b. That is, the holder 30 is electrically connected to the principal surface 21b through the plurality of energizing portions 73d. The electron emitter 20 is electrically connected through the plurality of energizing portions 73d to the wires 13 connected to the holder 30.
Each of the energizing portions 73d is in contact with the edge of the principal surface 21b of the electron emitter 20 to elastically deform and apply the energizing force F1 to the principal surface 21b of the electron emitter 20 as illustrated in
In the embodiment, the plurality of energizing portions 73d has a shape in which a plurality of notch-shaped clearances 73e is provided in an edge of the fixed portion 73b in a direction orthogonal to the axis HA of the holder 30. Each of the energizing portions 73d is divided into a plurality of piece portions 73f by the clearance 73e. Each of the plurality of piece portions 73f is a metal piece elastically energizing the electron emitter 20 to the base member 71. In the embodiment, each of the energizing portions 73d is divided into three piece portions 73f having a rectangular shape in plan view. Each of the energizing portions 73d may be divided into two sections or may be divided into four or more sections.
The first positioning member 74 and the second positioning member 75 position the holder 30 for the housing 10 in the inner portion of the housing 10. The first positioning member 74 includes a first positioning member 74a and a first positioning member 74b which are spaced away from each other. Each of the first positioning members 74a and 74b has a flat plate portion 74c and a plurality of springs 74d. The flat plate portion 74c and the plurality of springs 74d are integrally formed. The plurality of springs 74d includes at least one of the conductive terminals 33 and 34. In the embodiment, the plurality of springs 74d is included in the conductive terminal 34.
The flat plate portion 74c of each of the first positioning members 74a and 74b forms the penetration opening 31 of the holder 30. The flat plate portion 74c of the first positioning member 74a is in contact with the spacer 73a. The flat plate portion 74c of the first positioning member 74b is in contact with the flat plate portion 73c of the fixed portion 73b.
The plurality of springs 74d extends in directions different from each other. In the embodiment, the plurality of springs 74d is disposed in a peripheral direction of the holder 30 so as to be rotationally symmetrical as seen from the direction of the axis HA of the holder 30. In the embodiment, the plurality of springs 74d is disposed at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the tube axis TA along the inner surface 10a of the housing 10. In the embodiment, each of the first positioning members 74a and 74b has two springs 74d.
The second positioning member 75 includes a second positioning member 75a and a second positioning member 75b which are spaced away from each other. Each of the second positioning members 75a and 75b has a flat plate portion 75c and a plurality of springs 75d. The flat plate portion 75c and the plurality of springs 75d are integrally formed. The plurality of springs 75d includes at least one of the conductive terminal 33 and the conductive terminal 34. In the embodiment, the plurality of springs 75d is included in the conductive terminal 34.
An edge of the flat plate portion 75c of each of the second positioning members 75a and 75b forms the penetration opening 31 of the holder 30. The flat plate portion 75c of the second positioning member 75a is in contact with the flat plate portion 74c of the first positioning member 74a. The flat plate portion 75c of the second positioning member 75b is in contact with the flat plate portion 74c of the first positioning member 74b.
The plurality of springs 75d extends in directions different from each other. In the embodiment, the plurality of springs 75d is disposed in a peripheral direction of the holder 30 so as to be rotationally symmetrical as seen from the direction of the axis HA of the holder 30. The plurality of springs 75d is disposed at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the tube axis TA along the inner surface 10a of the housing 10. Each of the springs 75d extends in a direction getting away from the window 11a. In the embodiment, each of the second positioning members 75a and 75b has two springs 75d.
The base member 71, the first conductive portion 72d and the second conductive portion 72f of the frame member 72, the intermediate member 73, the first positioning member 74 and the second positioning member 75 have electrical conductivity. The insulating portion 72e of the frame member 72 has an insulation property. A material of the base member 71, the first positioning member 74 and the second positioning member 75 includes, for example, stainless steel. A material of the first conductive portion 72d and the second conductive portion 72f of the frame member 72, and the intermediate member 73 includes, for example, stainless steel. A material of the pin electrode 76 includes, for example, nickel.
Next, a configuration of the first positioning member 74 and the second positioning member 75 will be described in more detail with reference to
The first positioning member 74 and the second positioning member 75 position the holder 30 for the housing 10 by the plurality of springs 74d and the plurality of springs 75d. Each of the springs 74d is disposed closer to the window 11a than the plurality of springs 75d as seen from the direction orthogonal to the axis HA of the holder 30. Each of the springs 74d of the first positioning member 74 extends in the direction of the axis HA of the holder 30 and the direction orthogonal to the axis HA. Leading ends of the plurality of springs 74d are elastically in contact with the conductive layer 16. Each of the springs 74d electrically connects the conductive layer 16 and the holder 30, as the conductive terminal 34.
Each of the springs 74d has a T-shaped form, and the leading end thereof is divided into two. The leading end of each of the springs 74d is divided into directions facing each other in the peripheral direction of the holder 30 as seen from the direction of the axis HA of the holder 30. Each of the springs 74d applies an energizing force F2 to the inner surface 10a of the housing 10 by the two leading ends of the spring 74d. Each of the springs 74d elastically holds a position of the holder 30 in the inner portion of the housing 10 in a direction orthogonal to the tube axis TA of the housing 10. In other words, the plurality of springs 74d positions the holder 30 for the housing 10 by applying the energizing force to the inner surface 10a of the housing 10.
Each of the springs 75d of the second positioning member 75 extends in the direction of the axis HA of the holder 30 and the direction orthogonal to the axis HA. Each of the springs 75d applies an energizing force F3 to the inner surface 10a of the housing 10 by the leading end of the spring 75d. The second positioning member 75 prevents the holder 30 from moving in the direction of the tube axis TA of the housing 10 by a frictional force between the plurality of springs 75d and the inner surface 10a of the housing 10. In other words, the plurality of springs 75d positions the holder 30 for the housing 10 by applying the energizing force to the inner surface 10a of the housing 10. The leading end of each of the springs 75d is elastically in contact with the conductive layer 16. Each of the springs 75d electrically connects the conductive layer 16 and the holder 30, as the conductive terminal 34.
Next, a configuration of the electron emitter 20 will be described in detail with reference to
The principal surface 21a and the principal surface 21b of the substrate 21 have a rectangular shape. The principal surface 21b is defined by four edges 21c, 21d, 21e and 21f. The edge 21c and the edge 21e face each other, and the edge 21d and the edge 21f face each other.
The electron emitter 20 has, in addition to the meta-surface S, a first electrode 81 and a second electrode 82 which are electrically connected to the meta-surface S. The first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 are spaced away from each other. When the electron tube 1 operates, potentials different from each other are applied to the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82. One of the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 may be arranged to be connected to the ground. The first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 are insulated at least when the electron tube 1 does not operate.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The meta-surface S is of an active type, and an electron emission is controlled by applying potentials different from each other to the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 when the electromagnetic wave is incident on the meta-surface S. The meta-surface S is provided in the center of the principal surface 21b. In the embodiment, the meta-surface S is disposed between the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 in the principal surface 21b. In the embodiment, the first electrode 81, the meta-surface S and the second electrode 82 are disposed in this order in a first direction α.
The meta-surface S includes a plurality of first conductive lines 83 and a plurality of second conductive lines 84. The first conductive lines 83 and the second conductive lines 84 are spaced away from each other. Each of the first conductive lines 83 is electrically connected to the first electrode 81, and extends from the first electrode 81 toward the second electrode 82. In the embodiment, each of the first conductive lines 83 extends in the first direction α in which the edge 21c and the edge 21e face each other. Each of the second conductive lines 84 is electrically connected to the second electrode 82, and extends from the second electrode 82 toward the first electrode 81. In the embodiment, each of the second conductive lines 84 extends in the first direction a in which the edge 21e and the edge 21c face each other.
The shapes of the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 are not limited to the rectangular configuration illustrated in
In the configuration illustrated in
As illustrated in
In the embodiment, as illustrated in
The linear portion 83d and the linear portion 84d corresponding to each other extend on the same virtual straight line R1. The linear portion 83d and the linear portion 84d corresponding to each other mean the linear portion 83d and the linear portion 84d including the second end portion 83b and the fourth end portion 84b which face each other and are adjacent to each other. The linear portion 83d of the first conductive line 83 is positioned on the virtual straight line R1 extending in the second direction β from the second end portion 83b, and the fourth end portion 84b of the linear portion 84d corresponding to the linear portion 83d is positioned on the virtual straight line R1. In other words, the linear portion 84d of the second conductive line 84 is positioned on the virtual straight line R1 extending in the second direction β from the fourth end portion 84b, and the second end portion 83b of the linear portion 83d corresponding to the linear portion 84d is positioned on the virtual straight line R1. Only one linear portion 83d extends toward the fourth end portion 84b of one linear portion 84d. The linear portion 83d and the linear portion 84d corresponding to each other have the same length. The term “same” includes a manufacturing tolerance range. In the configuration illustrated in
The plurality of first conductive lines 83 and the plurality of second conductive lines 84 are formed, for example, by an evaporation processing and an etching processing. A material of the plurality of first conductive lines 83 and the plurality of second conductive lines 84 includes, for example, gold. In the embodiment, the first conductive line 83 and the second conductive line 84 are included in the metal layer described above, and are formed on the oxide layer described above. In the electron emitter 20, the first electrode 81 and the first conductive line 83, and the second electrode 82 and the second conductive line 84 are connected via the oxide layer, and are insulated each other at least when the electron tube 1 does not operate.
At least one of the first conductive line 83 and the second conductive line 84 is included in an antenna portion 85 and a bias portion 87. In the configuration illustrated in
The antenna portion 85 emits an electron in response to the incidence of the electromagnetic wave. In the embodiment, when the electromagnetic wave is incident on the antenna portion 85, an electric field is induced around the antenna portion 85. As a result, a potential barrier at the antenna-vacuum interface becomes thin, and the electron existing in the antenna portion 85 slips out of the potential barrier due to a tunnel effect. The electron slipping out of the potential barrier is accelerated by the electric field around the antenna portion 85. As a result, an electric field electron emission is generated by the incidence of the electromagnetic wave for the antenna portion 85. The bias portion 87 generates an electric field between the bias portion 87 and the antenna portion 85 of the corresponding conductive line when the bias potential is applied.
In the configuration illustrated in
The antenna portion 85 having a smaller size tends to generate an emission of an electric field electron for an electromagnetic wave having a shorter wavelength, that is, an electromagnetic wave having a larger frequency. According to the change of a structure of the antenna portion 85, the meta-surface S can correspond to a frequency band of about 0.01 to 150 THz, that is, a frequency band from a so-called millimeter wave to infrared light. The meta-surface S may be configured to correspond to a frequency band of 0.01 to 10 THz equivalent to the frequency band from a so-called millimeter wave to a terahertz-wave, for example. The meta-surface S may be configured to correspond to a frequency band of 10 to 150 THz equivalent to a frequency band from a terahertz-wave to infrared light, for example. In the embodiment, a size of the principal surface 21b of the electron emitter 20 is 10×10 mm A size of the meta-surface S in plan view is 3.2×3.2 mm A pitch of each antenna portion 85 is about 70 μm to 100 μm. The meta-surface S corresponds to an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 0.5 THz.
In the embodiment, the meta-surface S is a transmissive meta-surface. In the transmissive meta-surface, when the electromagnetic wave is incident, the electron is emitted from the side opposite to the surface on which the electromagnetic wave has been incident. In the electron tube 1, the electromagnetic wave passed through the window 11a is incident on the principal surface 21a of the substrate 21. The electromagnetic wave passed through the substrate 21 enters the meta-surface S provided on the principal surface 21b. The meta-surface S emits the electron in response to the electromagnetic wave incident thereon after passing through the window 11a and the substrate 21.
Next, a configuration of the first conductive line 83 and the second conductive line 84 in modifications of the present embodiment will be described with reference to
In the configuration illustrated in
The linear portion 83d and the linear portion 84d corresponding to each other extend on the same virtual straight line R2. The linear portion 83d of the first conductive line 83 is positioned on the virtual straight line R2 extending in the second direction β from the second end portion 83b, and the fourth end portion 84b of the linear portion 84d corresponding to the linear portion 83d is positioned on the virtual straight line R2. In other words, the linear portion 84d of the second conductive line 84 is positioned on the virtual straight line R2 extending in the second direction β from the fourth end portion 84b, and the second end portion 83b of the linear portion 83d corresponding to the linear portion 84d is positioned on the virtual straight line R2. Only one linear portion 83d extends toward the fourth end portion 84b of one linear portion 84d. Only one linear portion 84d extends toward the second end portion 83b of one linear portion 83d.
In the configuration illustrated in
The configuration illustrated in
In the configuration illustrated in
In the configuration illustrated in
Next, a configuration of the holder 30 and an electron emitter 20 in a modification of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to
As illustrated in
At least one of the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 is spaced away from all edges 21c, 21d, 21e and 21f of the substrate 21. In the modification, similar to the embodiment described above, the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 have a rectangular shape. In the configuration illustrated in
In the configuration illustrated in
In the configuration illustrated in
Next, a configuration of an electron emitter 20 according to further modification of the configuration illustrated in
In the configuration illustrated in
In the configuration illustrated in
In the configuration illustrated in
In the configuration illustrated in
The electron emitter 20 is not limited to the configurations illustrated in
In the configuration illustrated in
In the configuration illustrated in
In the configuration illustrated in
Next, an operation of the electron tube 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Potentials are applied to the holder 30, the dynodes 42a and 42b and the anode 51 respectively through the wires 13. The potentials respectively applied to the holder 30, the dynodes 42a and 42b and the anode 51 are set to be sequentially higher toward the anode 51 from the holder 30.
A potential is applied to the first electrode 81 of the electron emitter 20 through the conductive layer 15 and the conductive terminal 33. A potential is applied to the second electrode 82 of the electron emitter 20 through the conductive layer 16 and the conductive terminal 34. The different potentials from each other are applied to the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82. One of the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 may be the ground.
The electromagnetic wave enters the opening 71a of the base member 71 in the holder 30 after passing through the window 11a of the housing 10. The electromagnetic wave passed through the opening 71a enters the incidence surface 22 of the electron emitter 20. The electromagnetic wave passes through the substrate 21 and enters the meta-surface S. When the electromagnetic wave is incident on the meta-surface S, the electric field is induced around the antenna portion 85. As a result, the potential barrier at the antenna-vacuum interface becomes thinner, and the electron existing in the antenna portion 85 slips out of the potential barrier due to the tunnel effect. The electron slipping out of the potential barrier is accelerated by the electric field around the antenna portion 85. As a result, the electron emitter 20 emits the electron from the meta-surface S in response to the incidence of the electromagnetic wave. The electron emitted from the electron emitter 20 is guided to the incidence surface 40a of the electron multiplying unit 40.
The electrons emitted from the electron emitter 20 are converged by the focusing electrode 41 and are sent to the first stage dynode 42a. When the electron enters the first stage dynode 42a, secondary electrons are emitted to the second stage dynode 42b. When the electrons enter the second stage dynode 42b, the secondary electrons are emitted to the third stage dynode 42b. As such, the electrons are successively sent while being multiplied from the first stage dynode 42a to the tenth stage dynode 42b. For the electron emitted from the electron emitter 20, cascade multiplication is performed by the electron multiplying unit 40. The electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying unit 40 are collected by the anode 51 which is the electron collecting unit 50, and are output as output signals from the anode 51 through the wire 13.
An operation of the electron emitter 20 will be described in more detail with reference to
First, a threshold value mode will be described with reference to
Next, a modulation mode will be described with reference to
Next, a reverse bias mode will be described with reference to
Next, an electron tube according to a modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to
In an electron tube 1A illustrated in
In the electron tube 1A, the meta-surface S of the electron emitter 20 is a reflective meta-surface. In the reflective meta-surface, when the electromagnetic wave is incident, the electron is emitted to the direction facing the surface on which the electromagnetic wave has been incident. In the electron tube 1A, the electromagnetic wave passed through the window 11a enters the meta-surface S provided on the principal surface 21b of the substrate 21 without passing through the substrate 21. The meta-surface S emits the electron in response to the electromagnetic wave incident thereon after passing through the window 11a.
The electron tube 1A includes a grid 37 between the meta-surface S and the window 11a. The electromagnetic wave passed through the window 11a passes through the grid 37 and is incident on the meta-surface S. A voltage is applied to the grid 37 through the wire 13. Due to an influence of an electric field caused by the grid 37, the electron emitted from the meta-surface S is guided to the incidence surface 40a of the electron multiplying unit 40.
The electron multiplying unit 40 of the electron tube 1A includes so-called circular-cage multistage dynodes 42a and 42b. The dynode 42a includes the incidence surface 40a. In this modification, the electron multiplying unit 40 includes nine stages of the dynodes 42a and 42b. Eight stages of the dynodes 42b are disposed in the rear stage of the dynode 42a. The dynodes 42a and 42b are provided around the electron emitter 20 along the side surface of the housing 10. A predetermined potential is applied to each of the dynodes 42a and 42b through the wire 13. The dynodes 42a and 42b multiply the incident electron according to the applied potential.
The electron collecting unit 50 of the electron tube 1A is surrounded by the curved dynode 42b. In this modification, the electron collecting unit 50 is the anode 51. One of the plurality of wires 13 is connected to the anode 51. A predetermined potential is applied to the anode 51 through the wire 13. The anode 51 catches the electrons multiplied by the dynodes 42a and 42b.
In the electron tube 1A illustrated in
The electron emitted from the meta-surface S is sent to the first stage dynode 42a. When the electron enters the first stage dynode 42a (incidence surface 40a), secondary electrons are emitted from the dynode 42a to the second stage dynode 42b. When the electrons enter the second stage dynode 42b, the secondary electrons are emitted from the dynode 42b to the third stage dynode 42b. As such, the electrons are successively sent to go around the substrate 21 while being multiplied from the first stage dynode 42a to the ninth stage dynode 42b. The electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying unit 40 are collected by the anode 51 which is the electron collecting unit 50, and are output as output signals from the anode 51 through the wire 13.
Next, an electron tube according to a modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to
In an electron tube 1B illustrated in
In this modification, the diode 100 is an avalanche diode. The diode 100 has a rectangular shape in plan view and includes a pair of principal surfaces 101 and 102 opposite to each other. The principal surface 101 includes an electron incidence surface 101a. The principal surface 101 faces the window 11a of the housing 10. The principal surface 102 faces the stein 12 of the housing 10. The principal surfaces 101 and 102 are disposed in parallel to the window 11a, the substrate 21, and the meta-surface S.
The principal surface 102 of the diode 100 is provided with an insulating layer 105. The diode 100 is connected to the stein 12 in such a matter that the insulating layer 105 is located between the diode 100 and the stein 12. One of the plurality of wires 13 is connected to each of the principal surface 101 and the principal surface 102.
A reverse bias voltage is applied to the diode 100 through the wire 13. In this modification, the reverse bias voltage higher than a breakdown voltage is applied between the side of the principal surface 101 (electron incidence surface 101a) of the diode 100 and the side of the principal surface 102 of the diode 100. In the electron tube 1B, when the electron emitted from the meta-surface S of the substrate 21 is incident on the electron incidence surface 101a of the diode 100, the incident electron is multiplied by avalanche multiplication in the inner portion of the diode 100. The multiplied electrons are output as output signals through the wire 13.
Next, an electron tube according to a modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to
In an electron tube 1C illustrated in
The plurality of channels 114 is formed in the base body 113 from the input surface 113a to the output surface 113b. Specifically, each of the channels 114 extends from the input surface 113a to the output surface 113b, in a direction orthogonal to the input surface 113a and the output surface 113b. The plurality of channels 114 is disposed in a matrix shape in plan view. Each of the channels 114 has a circular cross-sectional shape. Between the plurality of channels 114, the partition wall portion 115 is provided. To function as an electron multiplier, the microchannel plate 110 includes a resistance layer and an electron emitting layer not illustrated in the drawings, on a surface of the partition wall portion 115 in the channels 114. The frame member 116 is provided on a peripheral edge portion of the input surface 113a and output surface 113b of the base body 113.
In the electron tube 1C, one of the plurality of wires 13 is connected to each of the attachment members 111 and 112. In the microchannel plate 110, a voltage is applied to the input surface 113a and the output surface 113b through the wire 13 and the attachment members 111 and 112. Specifically, potentials are applied to the input surface 113a and the output surface 113b so that the output surface 113b has a higher potential than the input surface 113a. When the electron emitted from the meta-surface S is incident on the input surface 113a, the electron is multiplied by the channels 114 and is emitted from the output surface 113b. The electrons multiplied by the microchannel plate 110 are collected by the anode 51 which is the electron collecting unit 50, and are output as output signals from the anode 51 through the wire 13.
Next, an electron tube according to a modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to
In an electron tube 1D illustrated in
The housing 120 includes a sidewall 122, an incidence window 123 (window 11a), and an emission window 124. The sidewall 122 has a hollow cylindrical shape. Each of the incidence window 123 and the emission window 124 has a disk shape. An inner portion of the housing 120 is held in a vacuum by airtightly sealing both ends of the sidewall 122 with the incidence window 123 and the emission window 124. For example, the inner portion of the housing 120 is held at 1×10−5 to 1×10−7 Pa.
The sidewall 122 includes a side tube 125, a mold member 126 covering a side portion of the side tube 125, and a case member 127 covering a side portion and a bottom portion of the mold member 126, for example. Each of the side tube 125, the mold member 126, and the case member 127 has a hollow circular cylindrical shape. The side tube 125 is made of, for example, ceramic. The mold member 126 is made of, for example, silicone rubber. The case member 127 is made of, for example, ceramic.
A through-hole is formed in each of both ends of the mold member 126. One end of the case member 127 is opened. The other end of the case member 127 is provided with a through-hole. The through hole of the case member 127 includes an edge located to fully overlap an edge position of one through-hole of the mold member 126. At one end of the mold member 126, the incidence window 123 is joined to a surface around the through-hole of the mold member 126. Similar to the window 11a of the electron tube 1, the incidence window 123 transmits an electromagnetic wave. Similar to the window 11a of the electron tube 1, the incidence window 123 includes at least one selected from quartz, silicon, germanium, sapphire, zinc selenide, zinc sulfide, magnesium fluoride, lithium fluoride, barium fluoride, calcium fluoride, magnesium oxide, and calcium carbonate.
In the electron tube 1D, the electron emitter 20 having the meta-surface S is held by the holder 30, and is disposed in the housing 120. In the housing 120, conductive layers spaced away from each other are disposed in the inner surface of the housing 120, and are in contact with the holder 30. Therefore, in the electron tube 1D, potentials different from each other can be applied to the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 of the electron emitter 20.
In the electron tube 1D, the meta-surface S faces the microchannel plate 110 which is the electron multiplying unit 40. The microchannel plate 110 is disposed between the meta-surface S and the fluorescent body 121. The microchannel plate 110 is spaced away from the meta-surface S and the fluorescent body 121.
At the other end side of the mold member 126, the emission window 124 is fitted into the other through-hole of the mold member 126. The emission window 124 is, for example, a fiber plate configured by gathering a large number of optical fibers in a plate shape. Each of the optical fibers of the fiber plate is configured such that an end surface 124a of the inner side of the housing 120 flushes with each optical fiber. The end surface 124a is disposed in parallel to the meta-surface S.
The fluorescent body 121 is disposed on the end surface 124a. The fluorescent body 121 is formed by applying a fluorescent material to the end surface 124a, for example. The fluorescent material is, for example, (ZnCd)S:Ag (zinc sulfide cadmium doped with silver). On the surface of the fluorescent body 121, a metal back layer and a low electron reflectance layer are sequentially stacked. For example, the metal back layer is formed by evaporation of Al, has relatively high reflectance for light passed through the microchannel plate 110, and has relatively high transmittance for the electrons emitted from the microchannel plate 110. Further, the low electron reflectance layer is formed by evaporation of, for example, C (carbon), Be (beryllium), or the like, and has relatively low reflectance for the electrons emitted from the microchannel plate 110.
Similar to the electron tube 1C, in the electron tube 1D, one of the plurality of wires 13 extending to the outside of the housing 120 is connected to each of the attachment members 111 and 112 holding the microchannel plate 110. In the microchannel plate 110, a voltage is applied to the side of the input surface 113a and the side of the output surface 113b through the attachment members 111 and 112.
When the electron emitted from the meta-surface S is incident on the input surface 113a, the electron is multiplied by the channels 114 and is emitted from the output surface 113b. In the electron tube 1D, the electrons multiplied by the microchannel plate 110 are collected in the fluorescent body 121. The fluorescent body 121 receives the electrons multiplied by the microchannel plate 110 and emits light. The light emitted from the fluorescent body 121 passes through the fiber plate and is emitted from the emission window 124 to the outside of the housing 120.
Next, an imaging device including an electron tube according to a modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to
The objective lens 131 includes a lens having a refractive index in the electromagnetic wave incident on the electron tube 1D. The objective lens 131 guides an electromagnetic wave T from the observation target to the incidence window 123 of the electron tube 1D. The relay lens 132 guides the light emitted from the emission window 124 of the electron tube 1D to the imaging unit 133. The imaging unit 133 captures an image based on the light guided from the relay lens 132, that is, the light emitted from the fluorescent body 121. The imaging unit 133 is, for example, a CCD camera.
Next, an electron tube according to a modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to
In an electron tube 1E illustrated in
In this modification, the electron multiplying body 145 includes an input surface 145a and an output surface 145b opposite to the input surface 145a. The input surface 145a faces the window 11a. The output surface 145b faces the anode 51 which is the electron collecting unit 50. The input surface 145a and the output surface 145b are disposed in parallel to the window 11a and the meta-surface S. The anode 51 has a flat plate shape and is disposed in parallel to the output surface 145b of the electron multiplying body 145. In the embodiment, a distance D between the input surface 145a and the meta-surface S is, for example, 0.615 mm, in a direction orthogonal to the input surface 145a.
The electron multiplying body 145 includes a main body portion 147 and a plurality of channels 148. The main body portion 147 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The plurality of channels 148 is defined by the main body portion 147. Each of the channels 148 is formed from the input surface 145a to the output surface 145b. Specifically, each of the channels 148 extends from the input surface 145a to the output surface 145b, in a direction orthogonal to the input surface 145a and the output surface 145b. In the configuration illustrated in
Each of the channels 148 includes an electron incidence portion 148a and a multiplication portion 148b. The electron incidence portion 148a of each of the channels 148 has an opening provided on the input surface 145a. The opening of the electron incidence portion 148a has a rectangular shape, as seen from a direction orthogonal to the input surface 145a. The electron incidence portion 148a gradually narrows in an arrangement direction of the plurality of channels 148, from the input surface 145a to the output surface 145b. That is, the electron incidence portion 148a has a tapered shape the diameter of which decreases along the direction orthogonal to the input surface 145a.
The multiplication portion 148b of each of the channels 148 is formed in a zigzag shape or a wave shape, as seen from a direction parallel to the input surface 145a and orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the plurality of channels 148. In other words, the multiplication portion 148b has a shape repeating bends, in an arrangement direction of the plurality of channels 148.
In the electron tube 1E, two of the plurality of wires 13 are connected to the supporting member 146. A voltage is applied to the electron multiplying body 145 through the wires 13 and the supporting member 146. Specifically, potentials are applied to the input surface 145a and the output surface 145b so that the output surface 145b has a higher potential than the input surface 145a. A wire 13 different from the wires 13 connected to the supporting member 146 is connected to the anode 51. The supporting member 146 and the anode 51 are electrically insulated from each other, by an insulating member 149.
The electrons emitted from the meta-surface S enter the opening of the input surface 145a of any of the channels 148, and thereafter enter the multiplication portion 148b through the electron incidence portion 148a. As a result of this, the electrons emitted from the meta-surface S are multiplied by the channels 148 and are emitted from the output surface 145b. The electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying body 145 are collected by the anode 51 which is the electron collecting unit 50, and are output as output signals from the anode 51 through the wire 13.
Next, an electromagnetic wave detection device according to a modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to
An electromagnetic wave detection device 150 illustrated in
In the electron tube 1F, the housing 10 has a window 11b in addition to the window 11a. The window 11b transmits light L1 generated by the light emission of the gas. In the embodiment, the window 11b is disposed to face the principal surface 21b of the electron emitter 20. In the modification, the light L1 is the ultraviolet light, and the window 11b transmits the ultraviolet light. A material of the window 11b includes, for example, quarts.
The light detector 151 detects the light L1 passed through the window 11b. In other words, the light detector 151 detects the light L1 generated due to the light emission of the gas. The electromagnetic wave incident on the meta-surface S is detected by referring to a result of detection in the light detector 151.
As described above, in the electron tubes 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F, the electron emitter 20 having the meta-surface S is held in the housing 10 sealed by the holder 30. The first conductive line 83 included in the meta-surface S is electrically connected to the first electrode 81, and the second conductive line 84 included in the meta-surface S is electrically connected to the second electrode 82. In the electron tube 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F, by applying the potentials different from each other to the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82, it is possible to achieve improvement or suppression of the electron emission in the meta-surface S in response to the electromagnetic wave incident from the window 11a. Therefore, by using the electron tubes 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F and observing the electron emitted from the electron emitter 20, the detection accuracy of the electromagnetic wave incident on the electron tube 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F can be ensured.
The holder 30 has the conductive terminals 33 and 34 spaced away from each other. The first electrode 81 is electrically connected to the conductive terminal 33. The second electrode 82 is electrically connected to the conductive terminal 34. In this case, a voltage can be applied to the electron emitter 20 through the holder 30. Therefore, it is possible to achieve reduction of the number of parts of the electron tubes 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F and compactification of the electron tubes 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F.
The housing 10 has the conductive layers 15 and 16 provided in the inner surface 10a of the housing 10. The conductive layers 15 and 16 are spaced away from each other. The conductive terminal 33 is in contact with the conductive layer 15. The conductive terminal 34 is in contact with the conductive layer 16. In this case, potentials can be applied to the conductive terminal 33 and the conductive terminal 34 by the conductive layers 15 and 16 provided in the inner surface 10a of the housing 10. Therefore, it is possible to achieve compactification of the electron tubes 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F.
The holder 30 has the plurality of springs 74d and 75d. The plurality of springs 74d and 75d positions the holder 30 for the housing 10 by applying an energizing force to the inner surface 10a of the housing 10. The plurality of springs 74d and 75d includes at least one of the conductive terminal 33 and the conductive terminal 34. In this case, in spite of any deformation due to a certain amount of manufacturing error or a change in temperature in each of the members of the electron tubes 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F, the holder 30 is stably held to the housing 10. The potential can be applied to the electron emitter through the springs 74d and 75d.
The holder 30 includes the holding body 70 and the contact electrode 65. The holding body 70 is in contact with the electron emitter 20 and has the penetration opening 31. The contact electrode 65 is spaced away from the frame member 72 and is in contact with one of the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82. The meta-surface S and the one being in contact with the contact electrode 65 are exposed from the penetration opening 31, and are spaced away from the edge of the penetration opening 31. In this case, the one being in contact with the contact electrode 65 is prevented from being in contact with the holding body 70. Therefore, a desired electrical connection structure can be achieved between the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82, and the holder 30. For example, it is possible to easily achieve a configuration in which the one being in contact with the contact electrode 65 is insulated from the holding body 70. In the embodiment described above, the contact electrode 65 is in contact with the first electrode 81. The first electrode 81 being in contact with the contact electrode 65 and the meta-surface S are exposed from the penetration opening 31, and are spaced away from the edge of the penetration opening 31.
In the configuration illustrated in
At least one of the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 is spaced away from the entire edges 21c, 21d, 21e and 21f of the principal surface 21b. The contact between the holder 30 and at least one of the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 can be easily prevented as long as being spaced away from the entire edge of the principal surface 21b. Therefore, a desired electrical connection structure can be achieved between the holder 30 and the first and second electrodes 81, 82 with a simple configuration. For example, an insulation property to the holder 30 can be ensured for at least one of the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82.
The holder 30 has the base member 71 and the intermediate member 73 functioning as the energizing member. The base member 71 is in contact with the principal surface 21a. The intermediate member 73 is in contact with the edge of the principal surface 21b and elastically energizes the electron emitter 20 to the base member 71. The intermediate member 73 is electrically connected to the second electrode 82. In this case, in spite of any deformation due to a certain amount of manufacturing error or a change in temperature in each of the members of the electron tubes 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F, the electron emitter 20 is stably held to the base member 71. The voltage can be applied to the electron emitter 20 through the intermediate member 73.
The second conductive line 84 includes the antenna portion 85 emitting the electron in response to the incidence of the electromagnetic wave. The first conductive line 83 includes the bias portion 87 generating the electric field between the bias portion 87 and the antenna portion 85 when the bias potential is applied to the first electrode 81. In this case, the potential can be tilted around the antenna portion 85. Therefore, the electron emission in the meta-surface S can be improved or suppressed.
The first conductive line 83 includes the first end portion 83a being in contact with the first electrode 81 and the second end portion 83b electrically connected to the first end portion 83a. The second conductive line 84 includes the third end portion 84a being in contact with the second electrode 82 and the fourth end portion 84b electrically connected to the third end portion 84a. The second end portion 83b is disposed closer to the fourth end portion 84b than all parts other than the second end portion 83b of the first conductive line 83. In this case, the intensity of the electric field generated between the second end portion 83b and the fourth end portion 84b is improved, and the potential is further tilted around the antenna portion 85. Therefore, the electron emission in the meta-surface S can be improved or suppressed.
The second conductive line 84 includes the linear portion 84d extending on a virtual straight line extending from the fourth end portion 84b. The second end portion 83b is positioned on the virtual straight line. In this case, the electron emitted in the fourth end portion 84b hits against the second end portion 83b and is amplified. Therefore, the electron emission in the meta-surface S is improved.
The second end portion 83b may not be positioned on the virtual straight line as illustrated in
The electron tubes 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E include the electron multiplying unit 40 and the electron collecting unit 50. The electron multiplying unit 40 is disposed in the housing 10 and multiplies the electron emitted from the electron emitter 20. The electron collecting unit 50 is disposed in the housing 10 and collects the electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying unit 40. The housing 10 is internally held in a vacuum. In this case, the electron emitted from the electron emitter 20 is collected in the electron collecting unit 50 after being amplified in the electron multiplying unit 40. Therefore, in spite of a compact structure, the detection accuracy can be ensured for the electromagnetic wave which is incident from the window 11a.
In the electron tube 1B, the electron multiplying unit 40 and the electron collecting unit 50 are the diode 100 and are integrally configured. In this case, the size of the electron tube can be further reduced.
In the electron tubes 1 and 1A, the electron multiplying unit 40 has the plurality of dynodes 42a and 42b spaced away from each other. The electron collecting unit 50 has the anode 51 or the diode arranged to collect the electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying unit 40. In this case, the electron emitted from the meta-surface S is multiplied by the plurality of dynodes 42a and 42b. Therefore, a multiplication factor of the electrons collected by the anode 51 or the diode is improved.
In the electron tube 1C, the electron multiplying unit 40 has the microchannel plate 110. The electron collecting unit 50 has the anode 51 or the diode 100 arranged to collect the electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying unit 40. In this case, a size, a weight, and power consumption are reduced and a response speed and a gain are improved, as compared with a case where the plurality of dynodes is used for the electron multiplying unit 40.
In the electron tube 1D, the electron collecting unit 50 has the fluorescent body 121 which receives the electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying unit 40 and emits light. In this case, two-dimensional positions of the electron emitted from the meta-surface S can be detected by the light emitted from the fluorescent body 121.
The imaging device 130 includes the electron tube 1D and the imaging unit 133 which captures an image based on the light from the fluorescent body 121. As a result of this, detection accuracy of the electromagnetic wave described above is ensured.
Although the embodiment and the modifications of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiment and the modifications and various changes can be made without departing from the gist thereof.
For example, in the embodiment, the holder 30 has been described as the configuration having the intermediate member 73. However, the holder 30 may be configured so that a plurality of energizing portions 73d extends from an edge of the flat plate portion 71c of the base member 71. In this case, the plurality of energizing portions 73d may be formed to bend in a direction in parallel to the principal surface 21b after extending close to the principal surface 21b of the electron emitter 20 from the edge of the flat plate portion 71c of the base member 71. Even in this case, the plurality of energizing portions 73d is elastically in contact with the edge of the principal surface 21b and energize the electron emitter 20 to the flat plate portion 71c of the base member 71.
In the electron tube 1, the electron collecting unit 50 may have a diode instead of the anode 51. In this case, the electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying unit 40 are collected by the diode.
The shapes of the housings 10 and 120 are not limited to the circular cylindrical shape. For example, the housings 10 and 120 may have a tubular shape with a polygonal cross-section.
In the electron tube 1C, a sweep electrode may be disposed between the meta-surface S and the microchannel plate 110. As a result, a so-called streak tube may be configured. In this case, a slit arranged to cause measured light to be incident thereon and a lens system arranged to capture a slit image may be disposed outside the window 11a of the electron tube 1C functioning as the streak tube. As a result, a so-called streak camera may be configured.
In the imaging device 130, the electrons multiplied by the microchannel plate 110 in the electron tube 1D are collected in the fluorescent body 121, and the light emitted from the fluorescent body 121 is arranged to be captured by the imaging unit 133 disposed outside the electron tube 1E. In this regard, the electron tube may be configured to function as the imaging device by providing an electron-bombarded solid-state image sensor, instead of the fluorescent body 121, as the electron collecting unit 50 in the inner portion of the electron tube. In this case, the electrons multiplied by the microchannel plate 110 can be arranged to be captured by the electron-bombarded solid-state image sensor without providing the imaging unit 133 outside the electron tube. The electron-bombarded solid-state image sensor is, for example, an electron-bombarded charge-coupled Device (EBCCD).
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20156121.4 | Feb 2020 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/052815 | 2/5/2021 | WO |
