Properties of Fast-Decay Cathode-Ray Tube Phosphors

When selecting a phosphor for cathode-ray tube applications, it is important to consider the efficiency, decay time, aging characteristics, spectral distribution, and temperature dependence of the luminescent emission. The present paper describes the results of measurements of these characteristics on numerous samples of fast-decay (r 1 usee) 181 182 THE BELL SYSTEM TECHNICAL JOURNAL, JANUARY 1963 phosphors of the ZnS(Ag,Ni), ZnO(Zn), B a P b S 0 4 , (CaO) 2 -MgO(Si0 2 ) 2 , and CaO- A1203- (Si0 2 ) 2 types. The first section deals with experimental procedures used in the determination of the phosphor characteristics. The succeeding sections discuss the specific characteristics of the phosphors studied. The work described in this paper was undertaken in connection with the selection of a phosphor for the screen of the cathode-ray tube of the flying spot store, a semipermanent memory developed for use in an experimental electronic telephone switching system.