A new electron gun for picture display with low drive signals

The paper discribes an approach to the problem of picture tube guns for small signal service. A Pierce-type cathode delivers a collimated parallel beam of 1600 microamperes at 250 volts (microperveance: 0.4). This beam is injected into a cylindrical cavity of appreciable length (3/4-inch long, 1/4-inch diameter). It is focused upon a small aperture at the far end using a parabolic axis potential. This axial focusing field is approximated by three cylinder segments at two intermediate voltages. To modulate the beam by lateral deflection, the cavity is again bisected through an axial plane and signal voltage is set up between half cylinders. This modulation by two crossed-electrostatic fields ("CFM" modulation) has been successfully applied in transistorized television, using a seven-volt video signal on a beam of 900 microamperes.