Novel position-sensitive gaseous detectors with solid photo-cathodes

Currently a revolution is happening in the development of gaseous detectors of photons and particles. Recently developed gaseous detectors with solid photocathodes are now replacing photosensitive wire chambers, which dominated for years in high energy and space flight experiments. We will review the main developments in this field as well as their applications in high-energy physics, medicine, industry and plasma diagnostics. New results on solid photocathodes coupled with gaseous micropattern/wire detectors will also be presented.