Unique microchannel plate process doubles MCPI resolution

Stan W. Thomas; Gary D. Power

doi:10.1117/12.209586

30 May 1995 Unique microchannel plate process doubles MCPI resolution

Stan W. Thomas, Gary D. Power

Proceedings Volume 2513, 21st International Congress on: High-Speed Photography and Photonics; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.209586
Event: High-Speed Photography and Photonics: 21st International Congress, 1994, Taejon, Korea, Republic of

Abstract

Applying a dielectric layer to the output of a microchannel plate (MCP) has allowed the screen voltage of a sealed microchannel-plate intensifier tube (MCPI) to be raised to over 10 kV, producing a field strength of 36 kV/mm without any detectable field emission or breakdown of the MCP/screen gap. Tube resolution exceeded 16 lp/mm at 505 modulation. Breakdown is higher in a dielectric than in a vacuum. In a concept being patented by Gary Power, a few-micrometers -thick layer of a dielectric was sputtered onto the output surface of an 18-mm MCP, which was incorporated into a tube under a contract for four tube starts. This process is applicable to any device incorporating a proximity-focused MCP and screen, including streak tubes and gated MCP x-ray imagers. Other improvements discussed include a patented use of a collimator for eliminating the electrons that are elastically scattered from the screen. This method also provides for further improvement in screen gap limited resolution to any desired degree by eliminating electrons with high transverse energy. This occurs at the expense of output brightness, which can be recovered through an appropriate increase in screen voltage.

Citation Download Citation

Stan W. Thomas and Gary D. Power "Unique microchannel plate process doubles MCPI resolution", Proc. SPIE 2513, 21st International Congress on: High-Speed Photography and Photonics, (30 May 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.209586

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