orthicon

American  

[awr-thi-kon] / ˈɔr θɪˌkɒn /

Also orthiconoscope

noun

Television.

1. a camera tube, more sensitive than the iconoscope, in which a beam of low-velocity electrons scans a photoemissive mosaic.

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orthicon British  

/ ˈɔːθɪˌkɒn /

noun

1. a television camera tube in which an optical image produces a corresponding electrical charge pattern on a mosaic surface that is scanned from behind by an electron beam. The resulting discharge of the mosaic provides the output signal current See also image orthicon

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Etymology

Origin of orthicon

First recorded in 1935–40; orth- + icon(oscope)

Example Sentences

The image orthicon, 100 times as sensitive as earlier tubes, had actually amplified the light reflected from their faces.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then R.C.A.'s new "image orthicon" pickup tube went into action, and the girls reappeared on the screen, brighter than ever.

From Time Magazine Archive

The size and complication of the image orthicon would keep television from any use as a hidden, unwinking eye.

From Time Magazine Archive

It already sees well in ordinary indoor light, and RCA thinks that it can be made ten times as sensitive as the image orthicon.

From Time Magazine Archive

I cut out the radar and cut in the nose orthicon and sat back to watch the beacon appear on the screen.

From The Repairman by Harrison, Harry