A phototube suitable for detecting a photon, comprising: an electron ejector configured for emitting electrons in response to an incident photon; a detector configured for collecting the electrons and providing an output signal representative of the incident photon; an electrode configured for applying a voltage to drive the electrons to the detector; and one or more sidewalls forming an envelope of a hole between the electrode and the detector, wherein the electron ejector is inside the hole and bonded to the electrode.

A phototube suitable for detecting a photon, comprising: an electron ejector configured for emitting electrons in response to an incident photon; a detector configured for collecting the electrons and providing an output signal representative of the incident photon; an electrode configured for applying a voltage to drive the electrons to the detector; and one or more sidewalls forming an envelope of a hole between the electrode and the detector, wherein the electron ejector is inside the hole and bonded to the electrode.

Exemplary metamaterial photocathodes enable detection of light from visible through long wave infrared wavelengths. Metamaterial stacks, comprising gold, silicon, and cesium-oxide, coupled to a semiconductor allow hot electrons to efficiently enter a vacuum. The hot electrons are multiplied in a multichannel plate and directly through another vacuum towards a phosphorus screen.

Exemplary metamaterial photocathodes enable detection of light from visible through long wave infrared wavelengths. Metamaterial stacks, comprising gold, silicon, and cesium-oxide, coupled to a semiconductor allow hot electrons to efficiently enter a vacuum. The hot electrons are multiplied in a multichannel plate and directly through another vacuum towards a phosphorus screen.

An electron source is formed on a silicon substrate having opposing first and second surfaces. At least one field emitter is prepared on the second surface of the silicon substrate to enhance the emission of electrons. To prevent oxidation of the silicon, a thin, contiguous boron layer is disposed directly on the output surface of the field emitter using a process that minimizes oxidation and defects. The field emitter can take various shapes such as pyramids and rounded whiskers. One or several optional gate layers may be placed at or slightly lower than the height of the field emitter tip in order to achieve fast and accurate control of the emission current and high emission currents. The field emitter can be p-type doped and configured to operate in a reverse bias mode or the field emitter can be n-type doped.

A photonic electron emission device includes an emitter, a photonic energy conduit evanescently coupled to the emitter, and an anode. The emitter includes a component selected from the group consisting of a metal, a semimetal, a semiconductor having a bandgap that is less than about 3.5 eV. The anode is positively biased with respect to the emitter, the anode directing electrons emitted from the emitter.

A photonic electron emission device includes an emitter, a photonic energy conduit evanescently coupled to the emitter, and an anode. The emitter includes a component selected from the group consisting of a metal, a semimetal, a semiconductor having a bandgap that is less than about 3.5 eV. The anode is positively biased with respect to the emitter, the anode directing electrons emitted from the emitter.

Exemplary metamaterial photocathodes enable detection of light from visible through long wave infrared wavelengths. Metamaterial stacks, comprising gold, silicon, and cesium-oxide, coupled to a semiconductor allow hot electrons to efficiently enter a vacuum. The hot electrons are multiplied in a multichannel plate and directly through another vacuum towards a phosphorus screen.

Exemplary metamaterial photocathodes enable detection of light from visible through long wave infrared wavelengths. Metamaterial stacks, comprising gold, silicon, and cesium-oxide, coupled to a semiconductor allow hot electrons to efficiently enter a vacuum. The hot electrons are multiplied in a multichannel plate and directly through another vacuum towards a phosphorus screen.

In a photoelectric conversion device, the potential control unit controls electric potentials applied to the meta-surface. The meta-surface includes a plurality of patterns which are space away from each other. The plurality of patterns include an antenna portion and at least one bias portion. The antenna portion extends in a predetermined direction and emits the electron in response to incidence of the electromagnetic wave. The potential control unit switches a first state and a second state by controlling the electric potentials applied to the plurality of patterns. In the first state, a component of an electric field from the bias portion toward the antenna portion in a predetermined direction is positive. In the second state, a component of an electric field from the bias portion toward the antenna portion in the predetermined direction is negative.