A scientific explanation of the "self-erasing" or "decay to black" phenomenon in direct-viewing storage tubes

This objectionable phenomenon has always plagued the manufacture of storage tubes. Some theories have been offered to help determine the cause and remedy for this defect. However, a solid scientific explanation seems lacking. This defect is so severe at times that some storage tube manufacturers have felt obligated to specify the output brightness of their product as "equilibrium" brightness, instead of "saturated" brightness. The authors have determined experimentally and will endeavour to prove theoretically that this phenomenon is caused by uncontrolled grid emission from the flooding or viewing gun grid. The various tests conducted to substantiate this theory are explained and the results analyzed. The scientific explanation, which is based on the characteristic curve of secondary emitters, is offered. Several additional effects of flood gun grid emission are disclosed and explained.