Unique microchannel plate process doubles MCPI resolution
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 50% modulation. Breakdown is higher in a dielectric than in a vacuum. In a concept being patented by Gary Power, a few-{mu}m-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 improvements 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.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 10176804
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC-116838; CONF-9408148-1; ON: DE94017507; TRN: AHC29421%%123
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 21. international congress on high speed photography and photonics,Taejon (Korea, Republic of),29 Aug - 2 Sep 1994; Other Information: PBD: 22 Aug 1994
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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