A simplified direct-viewing bistable storage tube

A simplified meshless storage tube has been developed which uses a single-layer dielectric storage target deposited over a transparent conductive coating on the glass faceplate. The dielectric layer serves both of the two principle purposes of bistable charge storage and production of the visible image. The mechanism of writing, storing and erasing depends on the well-known bistability of a good secondary emitting surface under flood current bombardment. The occurrence of an upper and lower stable potential is used, as in previous bistable devices, to form light and dark image areas having a sharply defined boundary between them. This boundary is an inherently unstable region having a high gradient across it, which tends to move the boundary across the face of the target.