Channel Multiplier Patents (Class 313/105CM)
  • Patent number: 6066020
    Abstract: There is disclosed a three draw technique for drawing optical fibers into various cross-sectional shapes. The process employs a glass tube and rod which are fed into a heated furnace. The viscosity of the glass decreases and the glass flows. The glass is pulled or drawn out of the furnace at a different rate than it is fed into the furnace. The resultant drawn fibers are stacked and the process is repeated two more times. By employing three drawing steps one can achieve extremely small fiber faces. The final draw step uses a hexagonal cross-section preform and fibers. From the first drawn fibers three geometrical shapes can be assembled and finally drawn into hexagonal shapes with round fibers which are triangles, rhombohedrials and half hex or trapezoidal shapes. These shapes maintain the hexagonal closely packed space providing the highest density per cross-section. With this high density there is less glass flowing to fill voids thereby reducing distortion within the fabricated MCP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Nelson Christopher Devoe, Thomas Theodore Mabry
  • Patent number: 6057909
    Abstract: Apparatus for creating an image indicating distances to objects in a scene, comprising: a modulated source of radiation, having a first modulation function, which directs radiation toward a scene; a detector, which detects radiation reflected from the scene, modulated by a second modulation function, and generates, responsive to said detected modulated radiation, signals responsive to the distance to regions of the scene; a processor, which receives signals from the detector and forms an image, based on the signals, having an intensity value distribution indicative of the distance of objects from the apparatus; and a controller, which varies at least one of the first and second modulation functions, responsive to the intensity value distribution of the image formed by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: 3DV Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Giora Yahav, Gavriel Iddan
  • Patent number: 6049168
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a photon detector and image generator. First, a screen operable to display a visual image based on a received signal is provided. The screen is then scrubbed. Next, an unfilmed microchannel plate having an input face and an output face is provided. The microchannel plate is baked in a vacuum chamber and a tube assembly is formed by attaching the microchannel plate to the screen. The tube assembly is scrubbed using an electron gun. Next, a photocathode, having an input side and an output side, is attached to the assembly such that the output side of the photocathode faces the input face of the microchannel plate in order to form a final tube, wherein the tube has a lifetime greater than 7,500 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Iosue, Robert H. Smithson
  • Patent number: 6046714
    Abstract: The present invention related to a flat display employing light emitting device and electron multiplier. A flat display of the present invention is fabricated to comprise the following three parts: an electron emission part of a flat substrate, light emitting device being arrayed at regular intervals in one side of the substrate and driven by video signal voltage, and photoelectric material being coated on the other side of the substrate; an electron multiplication part which comprises an electron multiplier for multiplying electrons emitted from the electron emission part and a power supply of high voltage D.C. to provide driving force therefor; and, a phosphor-activated luminescence part made of a glass coated with red(R), green(G) and blue(B) phosphors corresponding to the light emitting device by one-to-one in a matrix array, which activates each R, G or B phosphor to emit light by accelerating and colliding electrons passing through the electron multiplier with the phosphor-coated side of the glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventor: Koeng-Su Lim
  • Patent number: 6015588
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an electron multiplier is provided. The method consists of depositing a random channel layer on a substrate such that the random channel layer is capable of producing a cascade secondary electron emission in response to an incident electron in the presence of an electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Electron R+D International, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel Goukassian
  • Patent number: 5994824
    Abstract: An improved image intensifier tube having electrically operative components that include a photocathode having a photoemissive layer, a microchannel plate having a conductive input surface and a conductive output surface, and a vacuum housing for retaining the photocathode, the microchannel plate and a fiber optic inverter in a predetermined arrangement within an evacuated environment, the fiber optic inverter having a phosphor screen for receiving the electrons emitted by the cathode and converting the electrons into a visual image, the improvement therewith comprising a ring assembly disposed in the housing comprising first and second rings, the first ring being a metallized snap ring conductively contacting the input surface of the microchannel plate for providing electrical contact to and retaining the plate within the housing, the second ring being a metallized ceramic ring having a first chamfered metallized surface in electrical contact with the metallized snap ring and a second metallized surface oper
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises
    Inventors: Nils I. Thomas, James W. Harris, Walter E. Blouch, Warren D. Vrescak, George A. Hambro, Mark L. Oyler, Stanley J. Clower, Nelson C. Devoe, Robert A. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 5994828
    Abstract: Thin-panel picture display device having a luminescent screen and a large emitting plane electron source, such as a large number of juxtaposed electron propagation ducts operating by means of wall interaction of electrons. By means of an addressing system, electrons extracted from ducts are directed towards desired locations on the luminescent screen. The addressing system comprises a preselection system and a fine-selection system with an intermediate spacer plate of insulating material provided with apertures for passing electrons arranged in between. To provide the possibility of applying large voltage differences across the thickness of the spacer plate, the walls of the apertures are at least partly coated with a coating of a low .delta. material having a low secondary emission coefficient (.delta..sub.max .ltoreq.3.5), particularly Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, AlN, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 or Y.sub.2 O.sub.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Siebe T. De Zwart, Gerardus G. P. Van Gorkom, Theunis S. Baller
  • Patent number: 5990601
    Abstract: A channel-type electron multiplier and a method and apparatus for rounding off the sharp circular edges, fissures and protrusions at the ends of the holes in the glass plate. In order to do this a temperature gradient is produced through the plate so that only a small portion is heated above the glass softening temperature. The plate thus does not collapse or melt. The said rounded edges improve performance by reducing field emission, noise and photocathode contamination. An electrically heated nichrome wire provides heat pulses at regular intervals. An alternative method utilizes an optical lap after core glass in the plate holes has been partially etched out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1971
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kaspar Orthuber, Philip George Reif
  • Patent number: 5990483
    Abstract: A particle detector for an electron microscope, a mass spectrometer or the like comprises a single flat plate electron multiplier such as a micro-channel plate or a micro-sphere plate followed by a scintillator. The use of the electron multiplier prior to the scintillator compensates for lack of efficiency in passing photons from the scintillator. The output voltage of the scintillator can be freely set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: El-Mul Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Isaac Shariv, Yiftach Karni
  • Patent number: 5949185
    Abstract: A cathodoluminescent field emission display devices features an enhancement layer disposed over an outer surface of a substantially planar cathode electron emitter of the device. The enhancement layer provides enhanced secondary electron emissions. The enhancement layer is preferably near mono-molecular film of an oxide of barium, beryllium, calcium, magnesium, strontium or aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: St. Clair Intellectual Property Consultants, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Janning
  • Patent number: 5923120
    Abstract: In the microchannel 50, a conductive film 52 is formed on an electron input surface of a dynode 51 where the plurality of channels are arranged. The conductive film is made of material that can transmit light that has originated photoelectrons and that has a refractive index lower than that of the dynode constituting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Hideki Suzuki, Kuniyoshi Yamauchi, Atsushi Onoda, Masahiko Iguchi
  • Patent number: 5883380
    Abstract: A night vision device includes an improved image intensifier tube providing an image with reduced dark spots caused by microscopic particulate contamination in the tube. A method of processing image intensifier tubes to reduce dark spots caused by such microscopic particulate contamination within the tubes is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Timothy W. Sinor
  • Patent number: 5880458
    Abstract: In the photomultiplier tube 1, the focusing electrode plate 17 has the focusing portion 20 for focusing incident electrons and the frame 21 surrounding the focusing portion 20. The focusing portion 20 has a plurality of slit openings 18. The dynode unit 10 is constructed from a plurality of dynode plates 11 laminated one on another. Each dynode plate 11 has a plurality of electron through-holes 13 located in confrontation with the plurality of slit openings 18. A plurality of anodes 9 are provided for receiving electrons emitted from the respective through-holes 13 of the dynode unit 10. The frame 21 has dummy openings 22 at positions located in confrontation with edges 15 of the first stage dynode plate 11a in the dynode unit 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Hideki Shimoi, Hiroyuki Kyushima, Hisaki Katoh
  • Patent number: 5861709
    Abstract: A picture display device having a vacuum envelope which is provided with a transparent face plate and a display screen having a pattern of luminescent pixels, and with a rear wall, comprising electron-producing means, an addressing system arranged between said means and the face plate so as to address desired pixels, and, adjacent to the display screen, a plate of electrically insulating material provided with apertures for passing electrons, in operation a voltage difference being applied across said plate, characterized in that the surface at the electron entrance side of the apertured plate is coated with a coating of a material selected from the group comprising nonstoichiometric nitrides, borides and carbides of Al and/or Si, and amorphous Si.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Lobl, Maria Huppertz, Gerke T. Jaarsma
  • Patent number: 5844354
    Abstract: Flat-panel type picture display device having a luminescent screen and a large number of electron propagation ducts operating by means of electron wall interaction. Electrons are withdrawn from the ducts by means of an addressing system, whereafter these electrons are directed towards desired locations on the luminescent screen. An apertured spacer plate of electrically insulating material for passing electrons is arranged between the addressing system and the screen. To enable large voltage differences to be applied across the dimension of thickness of the spacer plate, the spacer plate is provided with a high-ohmic layer, or with a pattern of a low-ohmic material, or with an equalization layer at one side and with a low-ohmic layer at the other side, and at least the walls of the apertures are preferably coated with a material having a low secondary emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Siebe T. De Zwart, Gerardus G. P. Van Gorkom, Nicolaas Lambert, Petrus H. F. Trompenaars, Bernardus H. W. Hendriks, Gerardus A. H. M. Vrijssen
  • Patent number: 5811919
    Abstract: A thin-panel picture display device having a luminescent screen is provided and by means of an addressing system, electrons are directed towards desired locations on the luminescent screen. A spacer plate of electrically insulating material, with apertures for passing electrons, is present between the addressing system and the screen. To provide the possibility of applying voltage differences of at least 5 kV across the thickness of the spacer plate, at least the walls of the apertures are coated with a coating of particles of nitrides, borides, carbides, oxides of chromium, yttrium, tantalum, with a secondary emission coefficient of .delta..sub.max .ltoreq.3.5 and an electrical sheet resistance of at least 10.sup.12 .OMEGA./.quadrature..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Willem Hoogsteen, Ronaldus M. H. Steyvers, Monica Scholten, Maria C. Van Uden
  • Patent number: 5801511
    Abstract: A photomultiplier of the present invention has an electron multiplier of a structure which can be manufactured easily. This electron multiplier is constituted by dynode plates that are stacked through insulators so as to be separated from each other at a predetermined interval. Each dynode plate comprises upper- and lower-electrode plates that are electrically connected to each other. The upper- and lower-electrode plates grip at least one of the insulators such that the gripped insulator is partly exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kyushima, Yutaka Hasegawa, Akira Atsumi, Koji Nagura
  • Patent number: 5798605
    Abstract: The thin-type display device (1) with a vacuum envelope has a transparent front wall (3), which is provided with a display screen, and at least an electron source (5) and a duct structure, which cooperates with the electron source (5) and which extends substantially parallel to the front wall (3). Ducts (6, 6', 6") of the duct structure serve as electron-propagation means and are provided with walls (11, 11', 11") of an electrically insulating material having a secondary emission coefficient which is suitable for electron propagation. In the display device (1) 1.ltoreq.s/w.ltoreq.5 and s.multidot.w.gtoreq.5 mm.sup.2, where s is the depth of the ducts (6, 6', 6") and w is the width of the ducts (6, 6', 6"). Preferably, the width w.gtoreq.1.5 mm and the depth 3.5.ltoreq.s.ltoreq.15 mm. The voltage difference over the length of the ducts (6, 6', 6"), measured parallel to the front wall (3), is less than 75 V/cm, preferably less than 40 V/cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolaas Lambert, Theunis S. Baller, Gerardus G. P. Van Gorkom, Edwin A. Montie, Petrus H. F. Trompenaars, Siebe T. De Zwart
  • Patent number: 5789861
    Abstract: A photomultiplier is constituted by a photocathode and an electron multiplier having a typical structure in which a dynode unit having a plurality of dynode plates stacked in an incident direction of photoelectrons, an anode plate, and an inverting dynode plate are sequentially stacked. Through holes for injecting a metal vapor are formed in the inverting dynode plate to form secondary electron emitting layers on the surfaces of dynodes supported by the dynode plates, and the photocathode. With this structure, the secondary electron emitting layers are uniformly formed on the surfaces of the dynodes. Therefore, variations in output signals obtained from anodes can be reduced regardless of the positions of the photocathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kyushima, Koji Nagura, Yutaka Hasegawa, Eiichiro Kawano, Tomihiko Kuroyanagi, Akira Atsumi, Masuya Mizuide
  • Patent number: 5770858
    Abstract: A detector assembly for a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer has a modular microchannel plate (MCP)-based detector and a replaceable MCP cartridge containing at least one MCP secured within the detector. The detector includes an integrated support for a voltage divider and high voltage connections. The detector is also adapted to be secured to a modified vacuum flange for the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Galileo Corporation
    Inventors: Wolfram B. Fuchs, Bruce N. Laprade, Brian A. Lincoln
  • Patent number: 5744908
    Abstract: An electron tube includes an electron multiplication unit for multiplying an incident electron flow by secondary electron emission. This electron multiplication unit is formed by stacking a plurality of dynodes toward an incident side of the electron flow. A plurality of through holes are arranged and formed in each dynode, in which one end on the incident side of the electron flow is used as an input opening, and the other end is used as an output opening. An acceleration electrode unit projecting toward the through hole of the upper dynode is provided at an edge portion of the input opening. As described above, the acceleration electrode unit is provided at the edge portion of the input opening of the through hole formed in each dynode. For this reason, a damping electric field is pushed up by the acceleration electrode unit and deeply warped into the through hole of the upper dynode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kyushima
  • Patent number: 5721468
    Abstract: Flat-panel type picture display device having a luminescent screen and a large number of electron propagation ducts operating by means of electron wall interaction. Electrons are withdrawn from the ducts by means of an addressing system, whereafter these electrons are directed towards desired locations on the luminescent screen. An apertured spacer plate of electrically insulating material for passing electrons is arranged between the addressing system and the screen. To enable large voltage differences to be applied across the dimension of thickness of the spacer plate, the spacer plate is provided with a high-ohmic layer, or with a pattern of a low-ohmic material, or with an equalization layer at one side and with a low-ohmic layer at the other side, and at least the walls of the apertures are preferably coated with a material having a low secondary emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Siebe T. De Zwart, Gerardus G.P. Van Gorkom, Nicolaas Lambert, Petrus H.F. Trompenaars, Bernardus H.W. Hendriks, Gerardus A.H.M. Vrijssen
  • Patent number: 5680008
    Abstract: This invention relates to electron emitting semiconductor materials for use in dynodes, dynode devices incorporating such materials, and methods of making the dynode devices. In particular, the invention relates to emissive materials having an electron affinity that is negative and which have low resistivity. The invention also relates to electronic devices such as electron multipliers, ion detectors, and photomultiplier tubes incorporating the dynodes comprising the materials, and to methods for fabricating the electronic devices. The secondary electron emitters of the present invention comprise wide bandgap semiconductor films selected from diamond, AlN, BN, Ga.sub.1-y Al.sub.y N where 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1 and (AlN).sub.x (SiC).sub.1-x where 0.2.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1. The films are preferably single crystal or polycrystalline. The films may be continuous or patterned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Brandes, John B. Miller
  • Patent number: 5677595
    Abstract: An electron multiplier includes an improved resistor assembly for applying relevant voltages to respective dynodes. Resistor patterns are printed on one surface of an insulation substrate. Each resistor pattern is connected to one end of one of a plurality of conductor patterns which are also printed on the same surface of the insulation substrate, so that each resistor pattern is sandwiched between adjacent conductor patterns to provide a predetermined resistance therebetween. The other end of each conductor pattern extends to a corresponding insertion hole formed on the insulation substrate. One end of a conductor element, which may be a lead, wire, or other wire shaped conductor, is inserted into the corresponding insertion hole and electrically connected to its corresponding conductor pattern. At least the area around where the conductor pattern is connected to the conductor element and also areas around resistor patterns are covered with an insulating seal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Shirou Sakai, Makoto Nakamura, Hiroshi Suzuki, Kazunori Wada, Hiroyuki Kyushima, Tetsuya Morita
  • Patent number: 5656887
    Abstract: In a field emission display, a microchannel plate is mounted between an emitter panel and a display screen. The inner walls of the cylindrical passageways through the microchannel plate are coated with a conductive layer which is connected to a plate voltage. Electrons emitted from the emitter panel travel through cylindrical passageways in the microchannel plate toward the display screen. As electrons pass through the microchannels, the electrons are multiplied and collimated to increase the intensity of the light emitted from the screen and to reduce the pixel size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Micron Display Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Voshell, Glen E. Hush
  • Patent number: 5632436
    Abstract: A photomultiplier tube, image intensifier tube, or night vision device includes a cascade of plural microchannel plates which are physically and electrically connected together to provide an electron multiplication through the microchannel plate cascade. At least two adjacent microchannel plates in the cascade are also physically interbonded to one another. The bonding of the adjacent microchannel plates may be accomplished by use of a metallic interbonding layer covering all except a peripheral edge portion of at least one face of one or both of the bonded microchannel plates, which interbonding layer confronts and bonds with the other of the bonded microchannel plates. The interbonding layer may cover only a peripheral annular portion of the one face of the one bonded microchannel plate, or only sub-areas of this peripheral annular portion of this one microchannel plate. During manufacturing of such an image intensifier tube, the microchannel plates are initially fabricated and handled as individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Litton Systems
    Inventor: Andreas Niewold
  • Patent number: 5581151
    Abstract: A photomultiplier includes a cascade of microchannel plates which are physically and electrically connected to provide an electron multiplication through the microchannel cascade. One of the microchannel plates is a high-output microchannel plate providing a high level of electron multiplication. This high output microchannel plate is thermally conducted to ambient by a heat transfer path including outwardly disposed microchannel plates in the cascade. A unitary ceramic housing defines a vacuum envelope for the photomultiplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Wheeler, Michael J. Iosue, Bruce Johnson
  • Patent number: 5572089
    Abstract: A photomultiplier includes a photocathode and an electron multiplier. A typical structure of the electron multiplier is obtained such that a dynode unit constituted by stacking a plurality of dynode plates in the incident direction of photoelectrons, an anode plate, and an inverting dynode plate are stacked. The anode plate has electron through holes at a predetermined portion to cause secondary electrons emitted from the dynode unit to pass therethrough. Each electron through hole has a diameter on the inverting dynode plate side larger than that on the dynode unit side, thereby increasing the capture area of the secondary electrons orbit-inverted by the inverting dynode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kyushima, Koji Nagura, Yutaka Hasegawa, Eiichiro Kawano, Tomihiko Kuroyanagi, Akira Atsumi, Masuya Mizuide
  • Patent number: 5565729
    Abstract: A process for fabricating microchannel plates produces large area microchannel plates that have channel exit openings as small as 0.5 micron, MTF.about.1, pitch-limited resolution (a factor of 10 potential improvement in resolution) and at a cost of $0.40/sq. centimeter, and with funneling controlled as to configuration and exit opening size and shape. Microchannels may be rectangular in cross section, or rectangular, or trapezoidal, or other configuration, including straight sided, chevron or balloon sided. Microchannels of differing configurations may be interspersed, for reasons of alignment or to control pixel characteristics. Material choice may include glass, ceramic, metal, alloy and plastics, plus dopants. This materials flexibility, and the improved geometrical uniformity lead to higher signal-to-noise ratio and lower outgassing, and to a significant improvement in performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Kanti Jain
  • Patent number: 5563653
    Abstract: A microchannel plate for an image intensifier tube, the microchannel plate comprising a substrate having an input surface and an output surface and a plurality of channels extending therebetween, each of the channels defining a channel wall, wherein the microchannel plate operates as an electron multiplier, whereby each of the channel walls emits a cascade of electrons in response to an electron entering a respective one of the channels, and a focusing element formed on an output of at least one of the channels for preventing spatial dispersion of the cascade of electrons exiting the output thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Richard F. Floryan
  • Patent number: 5514928
    Abstract: A photomultiplier tube, image intensifier tube, or night vision device includes a cascade of plural microchannel plates which are physically and electrically connected together to provide an electron multiplication through the microchannel plate cascade. At least two adjacent microchannel plates in the cascade are also physically interbonded to one another. The bonding of the adjacent microchannel plates may be accomplished by use of a metallic interbonding layer covering all except a peripheral edge portion of at least one face of one or both of the bonded microchannel plates, which interbonding layer confronts and bonds with the other of the bonded microchannel plates. The interbonding layer may cover only a peripheral annular portion of the one face of the one bonded microchannel plate, or only sub-areas of this peripheral annular portion of this one microchannel plate. During manufacturing of such an image intensifier tube, the microchannel plates are initially fabricated and handled as individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas Niewold
  • Patent number: 5498926
    Abstract: A photomultiplier which can be easily made compact has a dynode unit constituted by stacking a plurality of stages of dynode plates in an electron incident direction in a vacuum container constituted by a housing and a base member integrally formed with the housing. Each dynode plate has an engaging member engaged with a connecting pin for applying a voltage at a side surface thereof. Through holes for guiding the connecting pins from the outside of the container are formed in the base member. Each engaging member is arranged not to overlap the remaining engaging members in the stacking direction of the dynode plates. The arrangement position of each engaging member and the arrangement position of the through hole for guiding the corresponding connecting pin to be connected are matched with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kyushima, Koji Nagura, Yutaka Hasegawa, Eiichiro Kawano, Tomihiko Kuroyanagi, Akira Atsumi, Masuya Mizuide
  • Patent number: 5493169
    Abstract: Microchannel plates for use in image intensifiers and night vision devices having both improved gain and signal-to-noise ratio are provided. The microchannel plates provide an initial electron impact area having a surface electron-emissivity coefficient greater than one (1) that is not occluded by low electron-emissivity conductive coatings. In one embodiment angulated deposition of a coating material is used to provide a high electron-emissivity initial electron-impact area while in another embodiment nonmetallic electrodes provide increased amplification of a signal electron. Besides improving gain and sensitivity, the microchannel plates of the present invention provide a higher signal-to-noise ratio, better resolution, high open area ratios and are significantly more cost effective to produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Pierle, Mark Gilpin, Hubert G. Parish, Po-Ping Lin
  • Patent number: 5493111
    Abstract: A photomultiplier includes a cascade of microchannel plates which are physically and electrically connected to provide an electron multiplication through the microchannel cascade. One of the microchannel plates is a high-output microchannel plate providing a high level of electron multiplication. This high output microchannel plate is thermally conducted to ambient by a heat transfer path including outwardly disposed microchannel plates in the cascade. A unitary ceramic housing defines a vacuum envelope for the photomultiplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Wheeler, Michael J. Iosue, Bruce Johnson
  • Patent number: 5491380
    Abstract: A photomultiplier which can be easily made compact has a dynode unit having a plurality of dynode plates stacked in an electron incident direction in a vacuum container fabricated by a housing and a base member integrally formed with the housing. Each dynode plate is constituted by welding at least two plates overlapping each other. The welding positions do not overlap each other in the stacking direction of the dynode plates. With this structure, field discharge at the welding portions between the dynode plates can be prevented to reduce noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics, K.K.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kyushima, Koji Nagura, Yutaka Hasegawa, Eiichiro Kawano, Tomihiko Kuroyanagi, Akira Atsumi, Masuya Mizuide
  • Patent number: 5473219
    Abstract: A flat display apparatus has a substrate, a plurality of pointed cathodes formed on the substrate, a planar anode facing toward the cathodes via a vacuum space, and a light emitting layer on the side of the anode which is opposite from the cathodes. The anode has a plurality of projections in positions corresponding to the cathodes. The anode projections reduce electron scatter to improve light emission from the light emitting layer. In another embodiment of the flat display apparatus, a primary electron source and a plurality of secondary electron sources connected to bias voltages are disposed on the substrate and positioned relative to one another in an alternately staggered vertical positional sequence toward a light emitting member so that electrons are successively amplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Rikio Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5442253
    Abstract: Picture display device having a vacuum envelope for displaying pictures composed of pixels on a luminescent screen, comprising a plurality of juxtaposed sources for producing electrons, local electron ducts cooperating with the sources and having walls of electrically insulating material with a secondary emission coefficient suitable for electron transport for transporting, through vacuum, produced electrons in the form of electron currents through juxtaposed trajectories at a short distance from the luminescent screen, and means for withdrawing each electron current at predetermined locations from its duct and directing it towards a desired location on the luminescent screen for producing a picture composed of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardus G. P. Van Gorkom, Petrus H. F. Tormpenaars
  • Patent number: 5410211
    Abstract: The electron tube according to this invention comprises an electron multiplier for multiplying incident electron flows by secondary electron emission. This electron multiplier includes a plurality of stages of dynodes laid one on another, and each stage dynode includes a number of through-holes each having an electron input opening on one end and an electron output opening on the other end. The electron output opening has a larger area than the electron input opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics, K.K.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kyushima
  • Patent number: 5391874
    Abstract: A microchannel plate (MCP)-based detector of reduced size employs a flexible multilayer printed circuit board as a lead assembly and enjoys increased ease of assembly and improved versatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Galileo Electro-Optics Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn Ellis
  • Patent number: 5386175
    Abstract: A flat, thin picture display device has a transparent face plate and a rear plate and a large number of electron sources and local electron transport ducts cooperating therewith. A selection plate arranged between the face plate and the rear plate has an arrangement of apertures which defines locations for withdrawing electrons from the electron transport ducts and, aligned therewith, a row of apertures defining locations for the electron sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardus G. P. Van Gorkom, Petrus H. F. Trompenaars, Siebe T. De Zwart, Nicolaas Lambert
  • Patent number: 5378963
    Abstract: A flat display apparatus has a substrate, a plurality of pointed cathodes formed on the substrate, a planar anode facing toward the cathodes via a vacuum space, and a light emitting layer on the side of the anode which is opposite from the cathodes. The anode has a plurality of projections in positions corresponding to the cathodes. The anode projections reduce electron scatter to improve light emission from the light emitting layer. In another embodiment of the flat display apparatus, a plurality of electron sources are disposed on the substrate and positioned relative to one another in an alternately staggered vertical positional sequence toward a light emitting member so that electrons are successively amplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Rikio Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5378960
    Abstract: A continuous thin film dynode includes a substrate with at least one channel having a channel wall, an isolation layer overlying the channel wall, and a thin film overlying the isolation layer. The thin film includes a current carrying portion and an electron emissive portion overlying the current carrying portion. The electron emissive portion is essentially free of a material which is silica-rich, alkali-rich, and lead-poor. The current carrying portion is essentially free of a material which is lead-rich.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Galileo Electro-Optics Corporation
    Inventors: G. William Tasker, Jerry R. Horton
  • Patent number: 5378955
    Abstract: A bundle of multiglass fibers are assembled within an outer glass tube. An intermediate glass structure is interposed between the bundle of multifibers and the outer glass tube. The intermediate glass structure has a softening temperature within the range of minus 5% and plus 15% of the softening temperature of the multifibers and less than the softening temperature of the outer glass tube. The assembly is heated and the outer glass tube is pressurized from the outside to produce a uniform compressive force for fusing the multifibers and the intermediate glass structure around the multifibers. The intermediate glass structure may include a glass tube, multiple layers of glass fibers or an inner layer of glass fibers surrounded by a glass tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Intevac, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell F. Scott, Jr., John E. Tiffany, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5374864
    Abstract: A series of improved electron multipliers is shown which are capable of reducing the number of bombardments per unit area. In the preferred embodiment, the inner channel is significantly increased in surface area over that surface area of present-day multipliers. Because the surface area is increased, for the same charge throughout, the number of electron bombardments per unit area is decreased. Since the number of bombardments per unit area is reduced, there is less degradation on the inner surface of the channel and hence the device lifetime is also increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Detector Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond L. Roy, Peter W. Graves, Thomas J. Loretz
  • Patent number: 5371435
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process for forming a photocathode having high quantum yield which comprises the first step of making a number of fine concavities and convexities in a surface of a substrate finished substantially in a mirror; the second step of blunting the fine concavities and convexities; and the third step of coating a photoelectron emissive material on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Keiichi Ohishi, Hideaki Suzuki, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Junichi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 5367218
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiplier structure having a very compact shape and which can have the output electrodes of the channels arranged in any random direction. The multiplying structure (94) is a ceramic block obtained by baking a stack of ceramic sheets prepared beforehand with a view to forming cavities includes in the mass. Each cavity (21) is covered by a metal deposit connected to a lateral contact (23) by a conductor (24) printed beforehand on the corresponding sheet. The channels can have special geometries in order to have their output on several different surfaces (41, 46, 47) of the multiplying structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Georges Comby
  • Patent number: 5359187
    Abstract: A microchannel plate (MCP) apparatus and method in which the output metalization layer or electrode is covered with a thin coating to reduce the number of spurious electron emissions striking the phosphor screen or other collection anode in an image intensifier. Microchannel plates manufactured in this way have the beneficial effect of improving yield in the manufacture of night vision devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Intevac, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Weiss
  • Patent number: 5313136
    Abstract: Picture display device having a vacuum envelope for displaying pictures composed of pixels on a luminescent screen, comprising a plurality of juxtaposed sources for producing electrons, local electron ducts cooperating with the sources and having walls of electrically insulating material with a secondary emission coefficient suitable for electron transport for transporting, through vacuum, produced electrons in the form of electron currents through juxtaposed trajectories at a short distance from the luminescent screen, and means for withdrawing each electron current at predetermined locations from its duct and directing it towards a desired location on the luminescent screen for producing a picture composed of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardus G. P. Van Gorkom, Petrus H. F. Tormpenaars
  • Patent number: 5268612
    Abstract: A low noise microchannel plate limiting feedback includes a conductive deposit on an output side for reducing open areas at an output end of the plate. The microchannel plate can be included in an image intensifier tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Intevac, Inc.
    Inventors: Verle W. Aebi, Kenneth A. Costello
  • Patent number: RE35884
    Abstract: A microchannel plate (MCP)-based detector of reduced size employs a flexible multilayer printed circuit board as a lead assembly and enjoys increased ease of assembly and improved versatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Galileo Electro-Optics Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn Ellis