The word "image orthicon" is pronounced as /ˈɪmɪdʒ ɔːrθɪkɒn/. The spelling of this word can be broken down into its phonetic components. "Image" is spelled with the sound /ɪmɪdʒ/. "Orthicon" is spelled with the sounds /ɔːrθ/ for "orth" and /ɪkɒn/ for "icon". The "A" in "orthicon" is pronounced as an "O" due to the Greek root of the word. The image orthicon is an old television camera tube that used to capture images, and its name represents the technology used.
An image orthicon refers to a specialized type of television camera tube that was widely used in the broadcasting industry during the mid-20th century. Developed as an improved version of the earlier orthicon camera tube, the image orthicon incorporated several advancements that enhanced the quality and clarity of the television images captured.
This camera tube functioned by converting light signals into electrical signals, which were then transmitted and displayed as images on television screens. It consisted of three main components: a photoconductive target, a beam deflection system, and an electron multiplier. The photoconductive target, also known as the image plate, was a thin layer of photosensitive material that converted light into an electrical charge. The beam deflection system controlled the movement of the electron beam across the target, ensuring that the entire surface was scanned in a sequential manner. The electron multiplier amplified the electrical signal produced by the photoconductive target, allowing for clearer and brighter images.
The image orthicon offered significant improvements over previous camera tubes, such as higher sensitivity to light, improved signal-to-noise ratio, and increased resolution. These advancements resulted in enhanced picture quality and better reproduction of fine details. The image orthicon was widely used in television broadcasting until the late 1970s when it was gradually replaced by newer technologies, such as the Vidicon and Plumbicon tubes. Despite its eventual obsolescence, the image orthicon played a vital role in the development of television broadcasting, particularly in capturing and transmitting high-quality images.
The word "image orthicon" is formed by combining two different terms: "image" and "orthicon".
1. "Image": This term comes from the Latin word "imago", meaning "likeness" or "representation". It entered the English language in the late 14th century and has remained relatively unchanged in meaning since then. In the context of "image orthicon", it refers to the visual representation or picture.
2. "Orthicon": The term "orthicon" is derived from the Greek word "orthos", meaning "straight" or "correct", and the suffix "-con", which indicates a device or instrument. "Orthicon" originally referred to a type of television camera tube, but it has also been used as a generic term for similar technologies. The concept of "straight" or "correct" relates to the accurate reproduction of images in television or camera technology.