Abstract: A sealing structure for an optical device, such as an image intensifier device, is provided. The optical device includes an evacuated housing and an anode positioned within the evacuated housing. An interior sealing member extends from the anode. An exterior sealing member extends from a component of the image intensifier device, wherein the exterior sealing member is positioned to extend adjacent to and substantially parallel with the interior sealing member such that a gap is defined between the sealing members. A seal cup is positioned for sealing engagement with both the interior sealing member and the exterior sealing member to substantially maintain a vacuum condition within the housing.

Abstract: A sealing structure for an optical device, such as an image intensifier device, is provided. The optical device includes an evacuated housing and an anode positioned within the evacuated housing. An interior sealing member extends from the anode. An exterior sealing member extends from a component of the image intensifier device, wherein the exterior sealing member is positioned to extend adjacent to and substantially parallel with the interior sealing member such that a gap is defined between the sealing members. A seal cup is positioned for sealing engagement with both the interior sealing member and the exterior sealing member to substantially maintain a vacuum condition within the housing.

Abstract: An image intensifier tube is provided. The image intensifier tube has a microchannel plate (MCP), a photocathode and phosphor screen deposited on a fiber optic substrate. A first spacer is positioned between the microchannel plate and the fiber optic substrate. A second spacer is positioned between the fiber optic substrate and the photocathode. The first and second spacers cooperate to provide a spatial relationship among the MCP, phosphor screen and photocathode for effective operation of the image intensifier tube.

Abstract: An improved image intensifier tube has electrically operative components that include a photocathode having a photoemissive layer, a microchannel plate (MCP) having a conductive input surface and a conductive output surface, and a vacuum housing for retaining the photocathode, microchannel plate and a fiber optic inverter and screen within an evacuated environment. The fiber optic inverter has a circumferentially extending flange portion extending toward the housing to accommodate a sealing material which sealingly engages an inner surface of an output flange with the inverter flange portion to form an air impervious vacuum seal and where the output flange is supported by the fiber optic inverter flange portion. The improved intensifier includes a photocathode having a flat faceplate conductively engaging the photocathode along the entire surface of the faceplate.

Abstract: A night vision goggle system having an objective lens for viewing an image scene, an image intensifier tube for amplifying a received image scene, an eyepiece lens for presenting the amplified image scene produced at the output of the image intensifier tube to a user's eye, and a fiber-optic element for folding an optical path between the image intensifier tube and one of the eyepiece lens and the objective lens thereby minimizing the length and weight of the system.