Optical shutters using microchannel plate (MCP) intensifier tubes

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Proc. Soc. Photo-Opt. Instrum. Eng.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6610336

Kotecki, D E; Lear, R

Optical shutters with exposure times approaching 1 ns have been achieved by gating either the photocathode or the microchannel plate of 18-mm proximity-focused microchannel plate intensifier tubes. Measurements are presented of the shutter performance, including the total optical gate, uniformity vs time, resolution, linearity, and dynamic range, for a number of intensifier tubes under various types of pulsing configurations. Properties of intensifier tube geometry are discussed. Results are also given of a specially modified intensifier in which all but a 3 mm x 18 mm portion of the photocathode was masked off by an opaque metallic undercoating, along with preliminary results of gating third-generation (GaAs photocathode) intensifier tubes. A characterization procedure used to evaluate the performance of each optical shutter is discussed, along with a review of fast electrical pulsers suitable for gating intensifier tubes.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6610336
• Journal Information: Proc. Soc. Photo-Opt. Instrum. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Proc. Soc. Photo-Opt. Instrum. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 427; ISSN SPIEC
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440300* -- Miscellaneous Instruments-- (-1989)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
CATHODES
DYE LASERS
ELECTRODES
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
EQUIPMENT
GATING CIRCUITS
IMAGE INTENSIFIERS
IMAGE PROCESSING
IMAGE TUBES
LASERS
LIQUID LASERS
OPTICAL EQUIPMENT
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOCATHODES
PHOTOGRAPHY
PROCESSING
PULSES
SHUTTERS