Q. How is the electron beam focused to a fine spot on the face of the CRT?
Sol. The functional diagram of an electrostatic focusing arrangement is shown below. The pre-accelerating anode, which is a metal cylinder containing many baffles, collimates the electron beam which enters it through a small opening on the left hand side. The pre-accelerating anode is connected to a high positive potential.
The focusing anode and the accelerating anodes are co-axial with the pre-accelerating anode. The pre-accelerating and accelerating anodes are connected to the same potential while the focusing anode is connected to a lower potential.
On account of difference of potential between focusing anode and the two focusing anode. The equipotential surfaces thus form a "double concave".
The electron beams entering the field at angles other than the normal to the equipotential surfaces, will be deflected towards the normal and the beam is thus focused towards the centre of the tube axis. By changing the voltage of the focusing anode, the refractive index of the electron lens is changed and therefore the focal point of the beam can be changed. The change in voltage is brought about by chanting the setting of potentiometer. This control is brought to the front panel of CRO and is marked focus.