New image converter cameras are capable of previously unattainable time resolution levels and have applications in many new areas of science and technology. The distinctive element of these cameras is an image converter tube which converts photons to an array of electrons analogous to the image. This electron image is electrostatically focused, deflected and shuttered to produce a record. The non-mechanical manipulation of the image allows for extremely fast recording speeds and provides great flexibility in the timing and duration of exposures. A phosphor screen in the image converter tube reproduces the optical image by converting electrons back to photons which are transferred to film or video.
Image converter cameras produce streak records by a rapid deflection of the electron image from the slit across the photoanode. Frame records are produced by electrostatic deflection and shuttering of the image on successive areas of the photoanode. Image converter cameras can also produce what is called a “synchroscan” image using periodic light pulses of high frequency. With the electron image repeatedly swept across the photoanode at a frequency tuned to that of the incident light, overlapping low level streak images of the periodic image accumulate on the recording medium. This produces a high resolution record under low light conditions. Image converter cameras produce a monochrome output only.