Definition

Noun: A cathode-ray tube is a specialized vacuum tube in which a heated cathode emits a stream of electrons. This electron beam is accelerated and focused by a high-voltage anode, then directed to strike a phosphorescent screen, creating a visible spot of light. The beam's position can be controlled to form images.

Usage

The term cathode-ray tube is used to describe the core display technology in older televisions, computer monitors, radar screens, and oscilloscopes. * The scientist observed the signal pattern on the cathode-ray tube of the oscilloscope. * Before flat-panel displays, most televisions contained a large, heavy cathode-ray tube.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: In electronics and engineering, the cathode-ray tube is often discussed in terms of its components: the electron gun, deflection system, and phosphor screen.
  • The design focused on improving the deflection coils within the cathode-ray tube.
• Historical/Comparative Context: The term is frequently used to contrast older display technology with modern alternatives like LCD or OLED.
  • The museum exhibit showed the evolution from the cathode-ray tube to the ultra-thin display.

Variants and Related Words

• CRT: A common initialism for cathode-ray tube.
  • CRT monitors are now largely obsolete.
• Cathode Ray: Refers to the stream of electrons emitted from the cathode within the tube.
  • The experiment demonstrated the properties of a cathode ray.

Synonyms

• Picture Tube (specifically for television sets)
• Display Tube
• Braun Tube (historical term, chiefly British English)

Related Phrases

• CRT Display: A display device that uses a cathode-ray tube.
  • The laboratory equipment still used a reliable CRT display.
• CRT Technology: Refers to the broader technological principles and applications.
  • CRT technology dominated the display market for decades.

Noun

1. a vacuum tube in which a hot cathode emits a beam of electrons that pass through a high voltage anode and are focused or deflected before hitting a phosphorescent screen