A heavy, glass vacuum display device that generates images by sweeping an electron beam across a phosphor-coated screen. The beam intensity is modulated to create light and dark spots, while magnetic deflection yokes steer the beam in a raster pattern. Once the dominant technology for televisions and computer monitors, they have been largely replaced by flat-panel displays due to their bulk, weight, and high power consumption.
Heard on the job
Watch your hands around the back of that cathode ray tube, the anode cap can hold a lethal charge for days after you unplug it.
Also heard as
- CRT
- picture tube