Photographic application method devised for overlaying test pattern masks on TV camera vidicon tubes prints the mask within 0.0076 cm of the vertical and horizontal center lines of the tube face. Entire process, including mask fabrication and alignment procedure, requires less than 10 minutes

Brawner, E. L.

Brown, J. J.

Jonker, W. J.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

October 1971	 Brief 71-10404 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Kennedy Space Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Application of Calibration Masks to TV Vidicon Tube 
The problem: 
To devise a better method of overlaying test 
pattern masks on TV camera vidicon tubes (see fig.). 
Such masks provide reference points for internal 
Exposure Tube
Mask Negative 
circuit-linearity adjustments and external camera 
alignment. The trial and error methods previously 
used for installing the masks were time consuming 
and costly. 
The solution: 
A new photographic application method, similar 
to the printed circuit (PC) board production proc-
ess, which prints the mask on the vidicon tube 
within 0.0076 cm of the vertical and horizontal 
center lines of the tube face. The entire process, 
including the mask fabrication and alignment 
procedure, requires less than 10 minutes. 
How it's done: 
Photographic equipment for fabricating PC 
boards is used to apply the facemask in the follow-
ing sequence: A sensitive photoresist material is 
coated on the tube and then cured in an oven. The 
tube is installed in a support fixture and placed in 
a photographic-printer housing. The photoresist 
material is then exposed to the appropriate mask
pattern and developed. A dye is added to the ex-
posed mask, and the tube face is Aashed and air 
dryed. 
An important time saving feature of this new 
Vidicon Tube	 Tube Socket 
with Mask
see 
If 0 0 b 
Adjustable End Plate 
for Axis Alignment 
mask is that the external reference points can be 
quickly located because the masked portion is 
approximately 25% transmitting. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed 
to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Mail Code AD-PAT 
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899 
Reference: B71-10404 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA 
Source: E. L. Brawner, W. J. Jonker

and J. J. Brown of

Bendix Corp.

under contract to

Kennedy Space Center

(KSC-10589) 
Category 02 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Governmni assumes dn N
 liabilit y
 resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19710000401 2020-03-17T02:30:09+00:00Z


Application of calibration masks to TV vidicon tube

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