CATHODE RAYS $ CATHODE RAY TUBE

These are streams of electrons emitted at the cathode of an evacuated tube containing an
anode and a cathode.

Production of cathode rays

They are produced in a cathode ray tube (CRT). The rays are produced at the cathode by
thermionic emission and are accelerated towards the fluorescent screen by the anode which is
connected to the positive terminal of an extra high tension (EHT)

Cathode Anode Cathode rays

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E.H.T.
Vacuum Fluorescent screen
Fig.1 Cathode Ray Tube

Properties of cathode rays

1. They travel in straight lines
2. They are particulate in nature i.e. negatively charged electrons
3. They are charged and therefore affected by both magnetic and electric fields since they
are deflected towards the positive plates

DIAGRAM ON ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELD

4. They cause certain substances fluorescence
5. They posses energy. They can produce x- rays when suddenly stopped.
6. When cathode rays are stopped they produce X-rays.
7. They affect photographic plates.
8. They can ionize gas thro which the travel.
Cathode ray oscilloscope (CRO)
It is a complex equipment used in displaying waveforms from various sources on the screen and
measuring p.d. It comprises of the following main components; -
1. The electron gun
2. Deflection system and the time base (TB).
3. Fluorescent screen

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The CRO is made of strong glass to withstand the pressure difference between the outside
atmospheric pressure and the vacuum inside. It has a square grid (on the screen) placed in front
of it to allow measurements to be made.

Anodes Y-plates

Cathode Grid X-plates

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Electron gun deflecting system

Display system

1. THE ELECTRON GUN - produces the electrons with main parts consisting of a filament
(F), a cathode(C), a grid (G) and the anode A1 and A2. Electrons are produced by the cathode
when heated by the filament. The grid is a control electrode which controls the number of
electrons reaching the screen therefore determining the brightness of the screen. Anode
accelerates the electrons and focuses them on the screen. Since the two anodes have different
potential A2 has a higher potential than A1 there exist an electric field between them the
direction of the field is such that it concentrates the beam from the cathode hence focusing it on
the screen

2. THE DEFLECTING SYSTEM- it consist of two pairs of plates i.e. the horizontal pair The
Y-deflection plates which deflects the beam up or down. The vertical pair called the X-deflection
plates are used to move the beam left or right of the screen at a steady speed.

NB: The X- plates are connected to a special circuit called the time base circuit which
automatically changes voltage to an a.c. Voltage. When time base control is turned the speed can
be adjusted to produce a waveform of ac voltage that increases uniformly to peak (sweep) then
drops suddenly (fly back) as the voltage increases the spot moves horizontally at a constant
speed until the peak voltage is reached.

The time base voltage then drops suddenly to negative peak value. This process continues in
subsequent cycles.
In the CRO the sweep of the spot on the screen is adjusted using the time base control knob
which operates the frequency of the time base voltage. The higher the frequency the shorter the
time of sweep. Typical values are 10ms/cm and 100ms/cm.
NB: 1.When the time of sweep is long, the spot moves slowly across the screen from left to
right. If the frequency is not changed the movement of the spot gives a permanent
trace of a horizontal line on the screen

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 2. Simultaneous application of the input voltage at the Y plate and the time base(x plate)
leads to the movement of the spot in two dimensions on the screen

3. THE SCREEN.
The screen is coated with fluorescent substance e.g znc sulphide which fluoresce/glows on
impact with electrons it continues to glow even after the beam has passed the point of impact.
The inside of the screen is coated with graphite which has three functions.
i) it shield the beam of electrons from external field
ii) Accelerates the electrons to the screen because it has the same potential as the
anode
iii) it conducts electrons to the earth.

USES OF CRO
(I) used as a voltmeter- to do this the time base is switched off and the voltage to be measured is
connected to the y plate. The vertical displacement on the screen is measured and voltage
determined by the formula

Voltage = displacement x sensitivity( volts per division)

NB: the sensitivity is selected by the use of the y gain knob which automatically connects the
input signal to the amplification system. This means, even a very weak signal is amplified to
measurable levels.
(II) used to measure the frequency of an ac signal – the signal is fed in the y plate with the time
base on. The time base is adjusted to give one or more cycle on the screen.

The periodic time T of the signal is determined by relating the trace of the signal on the screen
with the time base setting i.e (time taken per divison or per cm ). The frequency is calculated by

F=1
T
Questions
1. If the time base control of the CRO is set at 20 milliseconds per cm and Y plate connected
to 60V.
(i) What is the frequency if the a.c signal is as shown in the fig. above

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 (ii) Find the peak voltage

2. An ac voltage of 100v is applied at Y plate causing a deflection of the spot on the screen as
shown. Determine the sensitivity of the y gain

3. Given that the time base control is set at 10ms/division. Determine the frequency if the ac
signal shows the following cycle.

ASSIGNMENT
Klb pg 142 no. 2 and no. 11, Longhorn pg 166 no. 9 and 12.

THE TELEVISION TUBE

The television set (TV) is a type of a CRT with both Y and X-deflection plates which control the
formation of a picture (motion) on the screen. The colour television screen is coated with
different phosphor dots (chemicals) which produce a different colours when struck by an
electron beam.
The TV has the following unique modification;
1. The deflection of the spot is by magnetic field arranged in pairs to give both vertical and
horizontal deflection. Magnetic field is preferred over electric field since it gives a wider
deflection making it possible to work with wider screen.
2. The incoming signal from the Arial is fed into the grid this effects the variation on the beam as
it sweeps across the screen. Dots of varying brightness in successive line builds up the image
on the screen since it occurs at a very high frequency there is persistence of vision that gives
an impression of steady pictures
3. A coloured TV has three electrons gun each carrying the primary colour details i.e red, blue,
green. The phosphor is stimulated by the beam of electrons from the three guns forming
coloured pictures.

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