Electronic image storage utilizing a silicon dioxide target

A new electronic charge storage tube that utilizes storage targets fabricated by selective etching of thermally grown SiO
2
films on silicon substrates is described. The completed targets have a storage density of 600 000 elements/cm
²
. The flexibility of silicon technology allows targets to be designed with continuous readout time in the range of 3 to 30 min, with a corresponding erase time of 2 to 60 TV frames, respectively. Images may be stored for as long as 45 days without loss of resolution. The present limiting resolution is approximately 500 TV lines, making the tube capable of storing excellent television-quality images. The tube is capable of performing selective erase, write, and read.