High-Resolution Return-Beam Vidicon Cameras: A Comparison with High-Resolution Photography

The development of high-resolution electron optics for 50- × 50-mm image formats and of electron guns providing a small-diameter electron source has improved the modulation-transfer function of return-beam vidicons to a level competitive with high-definition aerial films. Limitations are imposed when the polarization time is restricted by operational considerations in the single-exposure read-prepare mode of a slow-scan system. Injection of a control potential permits discrimination against the large “haze” component from low-contrast scenes to optimize the current of the reading beam and the signal-to-noise ratio in the video signal output of the electron multiplier. Comparison at a spatial frequency of 100 cycles/mm shows that the high-resolution television camera has a detection efficiency equal to or better than SO-243 high-resolution aerial film, particularly at low contrasts, and can potentially exceed it by an order of magnitude with further development.

Print ISSN

0361-4573

Published

1970-08

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/J00886