New Patent for Nanotechnology Electron Amplifier Device
Cambridge, UK, March 2007 - A patent in the area of nanotechnology and describing a new, potentially high-gain, electron amplifier has recently been published. The technology invented by CSTC’s Principal Consultant Karl Heeks and inventors from CCLRC in Oxford utilises a novel device architecture incorporating secondary emission from a layer formed on an electrode. A variety of electrical devices make use of such secondary electron emission, in which a free primary electron strikes a low work function emissive material causing the emission of multiple free secondary electrons. The effect is frequently used together with an accelerating electrical field to produce further secondary electrons in a cascade or avalanche. Technologies which utilise such an effect include photomultiplier tubes which may be used to detect single photons and micro channel plates which may be used in low light cameras and night vision goggles. Dr Heeks commented ‘We are very excited by this new electron amplifier approach which we feel could have a multitude of applications across a broad range of cutting edge technologies.’
About CSTC
CSTC is based in Cambridge, UK and provides a range of consulting and business development services in the science and technology sectors. The Company has expertise in a broad range of technology disciplines and their exploitation. More information can be found at www.cstcltd.co.uk.
About CCLRC
CCLRC became one of the UK’s Research Councils in 1995. It currently employs around 1,800 staff, of whom about half are professionally qualified scientists and engineers, mainly located at RAL and DL. The annual turnover is around £140M. A wide range of technical activities are covered, including neutron scattering, synchrotron radiation, high-power lasers, space science and technology, computational science and networking, instrumentation and micro and, nanostructure research. Further details on CCLRC are available www.cclrc.co.uk.
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page updated: 19-03-07 00:00:00
