The Image Dissecticon. A Low-Light-Level Image Tube

摘要

The image dissecticon is a multiple-readout lowlight-level tube that is currently under development. To provide some technical perspective on the design problems associated with this image sensor, the theoretical relationships that limit night detection are reviewed, as well as are the principal advantages and disadvantages of two common types of image tubes, the image dissector and the image orthicon. This is followed by a discussion of the various components of the image dissecticon: an electronic variable magnifier, a microchannel image electron multiplier, a multiplying emitting electron time disperser, and a multiple-aperture readout. Of these components, the multiplying emitting electron time disperser is the unique element, which allows the image dissecticon to combine the scanning flexibility of the image dissector with the high sensitivity of the image orthicon. This component is described as a self-terminating integration process, which requires electron gain to time-disperse each input photoelectron event. (Author)