Abstract: A sensor unit (F) has at least a first and second sensor (10, 12) arranged along a sensor axis (14). A head adapter (16) provides support to mount at least one selected device about a user's cranium (18). A securing module (20) is attached to the sensor unit for mounting the sensor unit (F) to the head adapter (16). The sensor unit (F) is to be mounted above an ocular axis (22) formed between a pair of eyes (24) of the user (U) when the sensor unit (F) is attached to the head adapter element (16). When the sensor unit (F) is secured to the user (U) with the head adapter element (16), the sensor axis (14) is essentially perpendicular to the user's ocular axis (22).

Abstract: Mating faces of a microchannel plate (MCP) (50) and a multi-layer ceramic body (80) unit are deposited with a thin film having protuberances (84) using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion at a desired temperatures and pressure. The metallized MCP (50) and multi-layer ceramic body (80) unit are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture (F) that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond at a desired elevated temperature. The bonding fixture (F) is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber (V) to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP (50) and the multi-layer ceramic body unit (80).

Abstract: A microchannel plate (MCP) (50) and a dielectric insulator (80) are deposited with a thin film (54, 84) using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion. The metallized MCP (50) and dielectric insulator (80) are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture (36) that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond. The bonding fixture (36) is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP (50) and the dielectric insulator (80).

Abstract: A microchannel plate (P) for receiving photoelectrons includes a plate-like substrate web (W) formed from a plurality of micro-tubules (10) of a single type of cladding glass (12) and defining a pair of opposite faces (14a and 14b). The substrate web (W) further includes a plurality of microchannel passages (16) extending between the opposite faces (14a and 14b) and having openings (18a and 18b, respectively) in both of the opposite faces (14a and 14b). The microchannel openings (18) have funnel-like entries or openings (20) formed in the substrate web (W) with at least one of the opposite faces (14).

Abstract: Mating faces of a microchannel plate (MCP) (50) and a multi-layer ceramic body (80) unit are deposited with a thin film having protuberances (84) using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion at a desired temperatures and pressure. The metallized MCP (50) and multi-layer ceramic body (80) unit are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture (F) that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond at a desired elevated temperature. The bonding fixture (F) is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber (V) to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP (50) and the multi-layer ceramic body unit (80).

Abstract: A system (S) for combining multi-spectral images of a scene includes a first detector (18) for transmitting a scene image in a first spectral band. A separate, second detector (22) senses the scene in a second spectral band. The second detector (22) has an image output that is representative of the scene. A transparent display (26) mounted in the output viewing path (30) of the first detector (18) and displays a displayed image in the second spectral band. The image of the transparent display is aligned such that the image (12) of the scene in the second spectral band combines with the image output (10) in the first spectral band. The combined multi-spectral images (54) are conveyed to an output (32) for a user (U).

Abstract: A microchannel plate (MCP) (50) and a dielectric insulator (80) are deposited with a thin film (54, 84) using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion. The metallized MCP (50) and dielectric insulator (80) are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture (36) that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond. The bonding fixture (36) is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP (50) and the dielectric insulator (80).

Abstract: Mating faces of a microchannel plate (MCP) (50) and a multi-layer ceramic body (80) unit are deposited with a thin film having protuberances (84) using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion at a desired temperatures and pressure. The metallized MCP (50) and multi-layer ceramic body (80) unit are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture (F) that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond at a desired elevated temperature. The bonding fixture (F) is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber (V) to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP (50) and the multi-layer ceramic body unit (80).

Abstract: A system (S) for combining multi-spectral images of a scene includes a first detector (18) for transmitting a scene image in a first spectral band. A separate, second detector (22) senses the scene in a second spectral band. The second detector (22) has an image output that is representative of the scene. A transparent display (26) mounted in the output viewing path (30) of the first detector (18) and displays a displayed image in the second spectral band. The image of the transparent display is aligned such that the image (12) of the scene in the second spectral band combines with the image output (10) in the first spectral band. The combined multi-spectral images (54) are conveyed to an output (32) for a user (U).

Abstract: A microchannel plate (P) for receiving photoelectrons includes a plate-like substrate web (W) formed from a plurality of micro-tubules (10) of a single type of cladding glass (12) and defining a pair of opposite faces (14a and 14b). The substrate web (W) further includes a plurality of microchannel passages (16) extending between the opposite faces (14a and 14b) and having openings (18a and 18b, respectively) in both of the opposite faces (14a and 14b). The microchannel openings (18) have funnel-like entries or openings (20) formed in the substrate web (W) with at least one of the opposite faces (14).

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for detecting photons and generating a representation of an image. A photocathode receives photons from the image. The photocathode discharges electrons in response to the received photons. A microchannel plate is located no more than about 125 microns from the photocathode. The microchannel plate has an unfilmed input face and an output face. The microchannel plate receives the electrons from the photocathode and produces secondary emission electrons which are emitted from the output face. A screen receives the secondary electrons and displays a representation of the image.

Abstract: An image intensifier tube includes a photocathode (20) with an active layer (52) providing an electrical spectral response to photons of light. The photocathode (20) also includes integral spacer structure (42) which extends toward and physically touches a microchannel plate (22) of the image intensifier tube in order to establish and maintain a desirably precise and fine-dimension spacing distance “G” between the photocathode and the microchannel plate. A method of making the photocathode and a method of making the image intensifier tube are described also.

Abstract: An improved microchannel plate (24) is disclosed. The microchannel plate has an input side (24a) and an output side (24b). A coating (32) is applied to the input side (24a) to increase secondary electron production and to prevent ions from leaving the microchannel plate (24) and damaging the photocathode (22).

Abstract: An image intensifier tube includes a photocathode (20) with an active layer (52) providing an electrical spectral response to photons of light. The photocathode (20) also includes integral spacer structure (42) which extends toward and physically touches a microchannel plate (22) of the image intensifier tube in order to establish and maintain a desirably precise and fine-dimension spacing distance “G” between the photocathode and the microchannel plate. A method of making the photocathode and a method of making the image intensifier tube are described also.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for detecting photons and generating a representation of an image. A photocathode receives photons from an image. A power supply to the photocathode is gated such that the photocathode is switched between an on state and an off state. The photocathode discharges electrons in response to the received photons while the photocathode is in the on state. A microchannel plate is located no more than about 125 microns from the photocathode. The microchannel plate has an unfilmed input face and an output face that receives the electrons from the photocathode. The microchannel plate produces secondary emission electrons which are emitted from the output face. A screen receives the secondary electrons and displays a representation of the image.

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.

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.

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.