The word "orthicon" is spelled as [ˈɔːθɪkɒn], with the stress on the first syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription of the word explains the correct pronunciation of each individual sound. It consists of five phonemes, "o, r, th, i, k, o, n," with the digraph "th" representing the voiced dental fricative consonant. The word was coined by Vladimir Zworykin in 1940, as a type of television camera tube. The spelling of the word has remained consistent since its inception.
An orthicon is a type of television camera tube that was widely used in the mid-20th century. It is an imaging device designed to convert visual information into electrical signals, allowing for the transmission and display of images on a television screen.
The term "orthicon" is derived from the Greek words "ortho" meaning straight and "ikon" meaning image, reflecting the technology's ability to produce high-resolution, clear images.
The construction of an orthicon consists of a glass envelope containing a photoemissive target plate, a control grid, and a secondary emission surface. When light strikes the target plate, it causes the emission of electrons, which are accelerated towards the secondary emission surface using a high voltage. As the electrons travel from the target plate to the secondary emission surface, they create a varying electrostatic charge pattern that corresponds to the incident light's intensity.
The orthicon's control grid plays a crucial role in the process by modulating the electron beam's intensity, resulting in a representation of the image's brightness levels. Once the electron beam reaches the secondary emission surface, it releases a secondary emission of electrons, which is detected and converted into electrical signals. These signals are then amplified and transmitted to a television receiver for display on a screen.
The orthicon revolutionized the television industry by providing high-quality imaging capabilities, enabling the transmission and reception of clearer and more detailed pictures. However, advancements in technology have since rendered the orthicon obsolete, replaced by more modern and efficient imaging devices such as the vidicon and charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras.
The word "orthicon" is derived from Greek. It combines the Greek words "orthos" meaning "straight" or "correct", and "ikon" meaning "image" or "icon". Thus, "orthicon" can be interpreted as "correct image" or "straight image". The term was specifically used in the context of early television technology.