Nanosecond beam intensification for cathode-ray tubes

A new electron-gun structure capable of beam intensification with single pulses of nanosecond and subnanosecond duration has been developed at Stanford. The operating range of the gun is direct current to 3000 Mc/s. Single pulses with amplitudes as low as 1 volt produce a visible display and can be photographed. The gun can be used with conventional magnetic and electrostatic focusing and deflection systems. The design requirements for the coaxial intensification structure are compatible with those for high resolution. The experimental gun produces a spot of approximately 0.004-inch diameter. This paper presents general results and possible applications, a description of the new gun and test results, a discussion of the possibility of increasing frequency range and sensitivity, and alternative methods considered.