Patent ID: 9601299
Date: 2017-03-21
CPC Classifications: G01N,G02B,H01J,H01L

Claim:
1. A sensor for generating an electric signal in response to photons directed onto a receiving surface, the sensor comprising: a photocathode disposed adjacent to the receiving surface for emitting photoelectrons in response to said photons, the photocathode including: a detection device having a detecting surface facing the second layer, said detection device including means for detecting said photoelectrons emitted by said photocathode, and means for generating said electric signal in response to said detected photoelectrons; a housing operably connected between the photocathode and the detection device such that the detecting surface of the detection device is separated from the second layer of the photocathode by an intervening gap region; and means for generating an electric field between the photocathode and the detection device such that electrons emitted from the photocathode into the gap region are accelerated toward the detection device by the electric field.