Characterization of cathode-ray tubes and their phosphors

The function and response of a cathode-ray tube phosphor is analyzed and a mathematical technique is described to show how the intrinsic behavior of the phosphor can be deduced from laboratory measurements. A useful representative model is constructed to identify the intrinsic properties of the component. The time dependent phosphor response function is the significant component in this case. After the intrinsic properties of the phosphor have been identified, it is possible to characterize the cathode-ray tube, under dynamic rather than static conditions, using the convolution integral. In this case, the properties of the flying spot emerge from experimental data taken in the direction of motion, and the influence of the phosphor´s time properties in this direction is removed. With the convolution integral, the CRT peak spectral radiance, efficiency, and effective electron spot size are found for the variables of: wavelength, sweep speed, and current. The characterization method developed is described and illustrated. Since it is possible to secure data at a device operating point, rather than at some far removed point, the technique described in this paper is important to systems designers.