1.12.

2 Cathode Ray Tube

Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) is the heart of oscilloscope. It generated electron beam, accelerates the
beam to a high velocity, deflects the beam to create the image, and phosphor screen become
visible. The internal structure of CRT is schematically shown in figure.
Focusing Electron
Cathode Anode Beam Path

Heating
Filament Control Accelerating
Grid Anode

Figure-3 : Operation of an Electron Gun with an Accelerating Anode

The CRT consists of highly evacuated funnel shaped glass tube. The electrons are emitted from an
indirectly heated thermionic cathode. A number of electrodes transform the emitted electrons into
a high velocity electron beam known as cathode ray. This cathode ray travels trough evacuated
space of the tube towards fluorescent screen. When the beam strikes the screen, the kinetic energy
of electrons is converted into light emission. Therefore a small light spot is created on the screen.
The location of the spot is varied by deflection system in accordance with the input voltage.
Usually, the signal under test deflects the spot vertically and another voltage proportional to time
is used to deflect the spot horizontally. Thus, the time variation of voltage is displayed on the
screen.
The main components of general purpose CRT are:
(i) Electron Gun
(ii) Deflection System
(iii) Fluorescent Screen
These components are briefly discussed below:
Electron Gun: This part of CRT emits electrons, transforms them into a narrow beam and focuses
the beam on fluorescent screen. It consists of indirectly heated cathode, control grid, accelerating
electrode, focusing anode and final accelerating anode. These electrodes have cylindrical shape
and they are connected to the pins on the base.
The name electron gun originated from the analogy between motion of electron and bullet fired
from a gun as these electrons acquire very high velocity. The brightness and intensity of electron
beam is controlled by the control grid. A very high positive voltage is applied to accelerating
electrode to speed up the electron passing through it. The main purpose of focusing anode and
final accelerating anode is to focus the electron beam into a small spot on the screen.
Deflection System: The deflection system comprises of a pair of horizontal deflection plates and
vertical deflection plates. The electron beam is deflected and the spot on the screen is changed by
voltages applied to deflection plates. Let us consider the case when we do not apply any voltage to
the deflection plates AB, then there will not be any change in the direction of electron beam. But

12
now, when we apply some positive voltage to deflection plate A w.r.t. deflection plate B, then
electrons being negatively charged, will have some deviation in path towards deflection plate A.
The voltage applied to horizontal plate deflects the beam in horizontal direction and voltage
applied to vertical deflection plates deflects the beam in vertical direction. However, this shift is
dependent on the intensity of voltage applied. This moving spot appears as continuous luminous
waveform owing to the persistence of the screen and human eye.
Fluorescent Screen: The inner surface of the face plate of CRT is coated with a fluorescent
material known as phosphor. The phosphor absorbs the kinetic energy of cathode ray and re-emits
the energy as light.
1.12.3 Deflection Sensitivity
In the electrostatic deflection, the spot is deflected on the screen by applying the voltage on
vertical and/or horizontal deflection plates. The dc or peak-to-peak ac voltage applied to the
deflecting plates to displace the spot by 1mm on the screen is termed the deflection factor. The
reciprocal of the deflection factor is called the deflection sensitivity. The deflection factor is
expressed in V/mm and deflection sensitivity in mm/V.
Instead of electrostatic deflection, magnetic deflection can also be employed. The electrons are
deflected by a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the beam over a short distance of its path.
The electrons experience a magnetic force in a direction perpendicular to both the direction of the
motion and direction of magnetic field. Consequently, on emerging from the magnetic field, the
electrons travel at an angle to their original direction. The deflection of the spot on the screen per
unit magnetic field is termed the magnetic field sensitivity. It is expressed in mm/gauss.
(i) Electrostatic Deflection
The electrostatic deflection of an electron beam is depicted in the figure. Let s be the separation
between the deflecting plates, D be the distance from the screen S and l be the length of each
deflection plate. Suppose that the deflecting voltage applied between the plates is Vd. If m and e be
respectively the mass and charge of an electron entering the deflecting system with a velocity v
and Va be the final accelerating anode voltage, then we have
1 2
mv = eVa (1.22)
2
2e Va Vy
Or v 2 = VR (1.23)
m
θ
V

d2
θ
S
+ B d1

Vd V A C
–
S

Figure-4

Basic Electronics 13
 The force exerted on the electron towards the positive deflection plate
e Vd
F= s (1.24)
F e Vd
The acceleration of electron is a = m = ms (1.25)
The time taken by electron to move through the deflection plate is l/v. the upward velocity vy
acquired by electron on emergence from deflecting system is
al e Vd l
vy = v = ms v (1.26)

The electron leaves the region of the deflecting plates, no deflecting force exists, and the electron
moves in a straight line at an angle è with the initial direction, we have
vy d2
tan è = v = D (1.27)
The vertical displacement of electron in this interval is
al 2 e Vd l 2
d1 = 2 = ms (1.28)
2v 2v 2
Here d2 is the additional deflection on the screen.
vy eVd lD
d2 = D = (1.29)
v sm v 2
eVd l l
The total deflection d = d1 + d2 = +D (1.30)
sm v 2 2
d 1L
The deflection sensitivity of CRT is S = Vd = 2sVa (1.31)
The expression for S shows that deflection sensitivity is independent of the deflecting voltage but
is inversely proportional to the final anode voltage. Thus, deflection sensitivity can be enhanced
by reducing the anode voltage. But then the brightness of the spot is reduced. The disadvantage is
removed by employing post acceleration. Here the beam is accelerated after it is deflected by
deflecting system. Equation (1.31) shows that deflection sensitivity varies directly as the length l
of deflecting plates and as length L of the screen from the centre of plates. Also, S varies inversely
as separation s between deflection plates.
O
(ii) Magnetic Deflection
Let a uniform field B act on the electron beam D
α r
AC emitted from electron gun over a length l
of its path (see figure). r
d2

E α
R M

A
C Q N P

I L
Figure-5

14
If the magnetic field is perpendicular to the plane of the paper , a magnetic force acts on the
electron along the plane of paper at right angles to magnetic field and the direction of motion of
electron. As a result, the electron beam moves along a circular arc CE in the magnetic field. The
radius r of circle is found by equating magnetic force Bev to the centripetal force mv2/r , v being
the velocity of an electron of mass m and charge e. Hence
mv 2
Bev = r (1.32)
mv
r = Be (1.33)
Let accelerating potential be V, then
1 2
2 mv = eV

2eV
v = m (1.34)
Using equation (1.34) in equation (1.33), we get
2mV (1.35)
r = 1 e
B
The deflection d1 of electron is
d1 = PM = NE = CR = OC-OR = r(1- cosá) (1.36)
Where as, d2 = L taná (1.37)

In practice, the angle á is small enough so that only the terms up to á2 are important. Therefore
l
taná ~ á ~ r (1.38)
cosá ~ 1- a = 1- 1
2 2
l (1.39)
2 2 r2
Substituting the value of taná and cosá from equations (1.38) and (1.39)
Ll
d2 = r (1.40)
2
d1 = l (1.41)
2r
l l
The total spot deflection on the screen is d = d1 + d2 = r L + 2 (1.42)
l
The distance (L+ 2 ) equals QP, the distance of the screen from the centre of magnetic field
region. Substituting value of r from equation (1.35) , we get
e l
d = 2mV (1.43)
(L+2)
by definition, magnetic deflection sensitivity is
d e l
Sm = B = l 2mV L + 2 (1.44)

Basic Electronics 15
 1.12.3 Electrostatic Deflection versus Magnetic Deflection
1. The electrostatic deflection needs little power for deflection. Whereas, magnetic deflection
needs large power for the same deflection.
2. The electrostatic deflection can be employed at higher frequencies than magnetic deflection.
3. In electrostatic deflection, the deflection sensitivity falls more rapidly with increasing anode
voltage than that in case of magnetic deflection.
1.12.4 Applications of Cathode Ray Oscilloscope
(i) Visual Display and Qualitative Study of Signal Waveforms: To display a signal on the
CRT screen, the signal is applied to the vertical input terminals. The time variation of the
signal is visualized by means of time base generator displacing a spot in proportion to time in
the horizontal direction. The nature of the signal can be qualitatively studied from the trace
on CRT screen.
(ii) Measurement of Voltage: The calibration of vertical scale gives the voltage corresponding
to the vertical deflection of the spot on the CRT screen. Thus the magnitude of an applied
voltage at different times of time varying signal can be measured.
(iii) Measurement of Frequency: The calibration of horizontal scale i.e. the time base helps to
determine the frequency of time varying signal displayed on the CRT screen. If N complete
cycles of ac signal are found to appear in a time interval t, then time period of signal is
T= t/N
And frequency of signal is f= 1/T = N/t
(iv) Measurement of Phase: The two signals, whose phase difference is to be measured, are
applied to the two channels of double beam CRO. The same trigger is used for two sweep
voltages. The phase difference between two waveforms displayed on CRT screen can be
found from time base. If two sinusoidal signals of time period T are found to attain same
phase at times t1 and t2 respectively, the phase difference between them is
2π (1.45)
Φ= (t2 − t2 )
T

Resource Material
(1) Electrical technology by V.K. Mehta & Rohit Mehta.
(2) Few reference from Wikipedia free encyclopedia.

16
Exercise
1. Short questions:
(a) Define Atoms.
(b) Define Transistors.
(c) Define ICs.
(d) Define Electron.
(e) What are the elements of Atoms?
2. Write short note on:
(a) What is Atomic Energy Level?
(b) Explain about Field Intensity.
(c) What is Potential Energy?
(d) What do you mean about Electric Field?
3. Explain the following:
(a) What is Bohr’s Atomic Model? Write the mathematical expression with your answer.
(b) What do you mean about Current and Current Density?
(c) What is Magnetic Field? Explain motion of charged particles in Electric Field.
4. Long questions:
(a) What are the applications of Cathode Ray Oscilloscope?
(b) Explain with block diagram Cathode Ray Oscilloscope.

Basic Electronics 17