New frontiers in 21~(st) century microchannel plate (MCP) technology: bulk conductive MCP based image intensifiers

摘要

This paper details in amage inensifier ehancemen program at Litton Electro-Optical Systems (LEOS) and the U.S.Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) for the development of an unfilmed bulk conductive glass (BCG) Microchanel Plate (MCP) for use in any image intensifier (~2) to enhance signal-to-noise, reliablility, and lifetime. We will discuss the material characterization associated with this new class of MCP glass. Then we will explore the outgassing and ion feedback properties of a BCG MCP in vacuum demountable experiments. Electrical and optical measurements on BCG MCPs with standard Generation III configuration (9-13) micron channel pitch) will be discussed. Test results will be presented for I~2 made with BCG MCPs. The goal of this program is to produce a high performance Gneeration IV or greater I~2 with a state-of-the art bulk conductive glass MCP in order to provide enhanced imaging cpability for 21~(st) century night vision systems.