Ruggedized ceramic vidicon

A one-inch vidicon capable of withstanding sterilization treatments and severe environmental testing has been developed for space applications. The tube uses electrostatic focusing and magnetic deflection provided by photoetched deflection coils. The brazed ceramic-and-metal structure has an indium-sealed faceplate and is potted in a magnetic shield. The sterilization tests, consisting of ethylene-oxide exposure and a prolonged 135°C. dry-nitrogen bake, cause some increase in dark current and a small gain in sensitivity of the slow-scan photoconductor. The tube operates satisfactorily after undergoing high-amplitude vibration tests (e.g., 35 g at 2000 Hz and 25 g rms wide-band noise) and after 60 halfsine shock pulses having a 3000-g amplitude) 30 with 100-µ sec rise time, the other 30 with 225- µsec rise time).