Abstract: An image intensifier tube includes a collimator having multiple channels for receiving electrons from a photocathode layer, and a microchannel plate (MCP) having multiple channels for receiving electrons from the collimator. An ion barrier film (IBF) is disposed on top of an input side of the MCP, in which the IBF includes a small amount of conductive material. The IBF may include alumina doped with chromium oxide, or manganese oxide, or any other conductive material. The small amount of conductive material includes 1% to 5% of conductive material in a layer of non-conductive material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ion detector for improving the effect of electric field for pulling in an ion to be detected to a first-stage electrode of a secondary electron multiplier (SEM), and improving the effect of a stray light reduction. In one example embodiment, an ion detector includes a SEM, and a lead-in electrode for pulling in an ion to a first-stage electrode side of the SEM. At least one of the area of the lead-in electrode and a potential difference between the lead-in electrode and neighboring electrodes of the lead-in electrode, the neighboring electrode being an electrode not of the SEM, is set so that the light amount of internal-stray light generated inside the detector entering the first-stage electrode is not more than that of external-stray light generated outside the detector entering the first-stage electrode, when an ion is introduced into the detector.

Abstract: An electron multiplier can be fabricated by depositing an electron emissive material on a reticulated substrate, and forming the reticulated substrate into the electron multiplier.

Abstract: To improve an optical property of a near-infrared-absorbing PDP filter and suppress a manufacturing cost. The present invention provides a dispersion liquid for near-infrared-absorbing adhesive-body. The dispersion liquid includes, in a solvent, one or more types of nanoparticles selected from a tungsten oxide nanoparticle and a composite tungsten oxide nanoparticle, and an acryl-based polymer dispersant is added to the dispersion liquid. The average dispersed nanoparticle diameter of the tungsten oxide nanoparticles and the composite tungsten oxide nanoparticles is equal to or smaller than 800 nm.

Abstract: An electron multiplier that can easily obtain characteristics according to a purpose is provided. By bonding a marginal portion 23 of an MCP 2 and a marginal portion 33 of an MCP 3 to each other via a conductive spacer layer 7, a gap 12 is formed between channel portions 22, 32. Therefore, when the electron multiplier is used for a purpose that requires a particularly high gain, by adjusting the thickness of the spacer layer 7, the gain can be increased by increasing the gap 12. In addition, when the electron multiplier is used for a purpose that requires an increase in gain as well as time characteristics, by adjusting the thickness of the spacer layer 7, the size of the gap 12 can be adjusted so that desired characteristics are obtained. Consequently, by only adjusting the thickness of the spacer layer 7, characteristics according to the purpose can be easily obtained.

Abstract: An electron multiplier can be fabricated by depositing an electron emissive material on a reticulated substrate, and forming the reticulated substrate into the electron multiplier.

Abstract: A microchannel plate includes a substrate defining a plurality of pores extending from a top surface of the substrate to a bottom surface of the substrate. The plurality of pores includes a resistive material on an outer surface that forms a first emissive layer. A second emissive layer is formed over the first emissive layer. The second emissive layer is chosen to achieve at least one of an increase in secondary electron emission efficiency and a decrease in gain degradation as a function of time. A top electrode is positioned on the top surface of the substrate and a bottom electrode is positioned on the bottom surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An ion detector includes collision surfaces for converting both positively and negatively charged ions into emitted secondary electrons. Secondary electrons may be detected using an electron detector, than may, for example include an electron multiplier. Conveniently, secondary electrons (or electrons emitted by the multiplier) may be detected using an electron pulse counter.

Abstract: A transmission type photocathode includes a light absorption layer 1 formed of diamond or a material containing diamond as a main component, a supporting frame 21 for reinforcing the mechanical strength of the light absorption layer 1, a first electrode 31 provided at the plane of incidence of the light absorption layer 1, and a second electrode 32 provided at the plane of emission of the light absorption layer 1. A voltage is applied between the plane of incidence and plane of emission of the light absorption layer 1 to form an electric field in the light absorption layer 1. When light to be detected is made incident and photoelectrons occur in the light absorption layer 1, the photoelectrons are accelerated to the plane of emission by the electric field formed in the light absorption layer 1, and emitted to the outside of the transmission type photocathode.

Abstract: An extension line of a tube axis of a photomultiplier tube is shifted from the center of gravity position of a front surface of a housing, which allows a space to be formed at an opposite side in the housing. A signal processing board is arranged in this space, and a high-voltage generating circuit board is fixed on the extension line of the tube axis, and thus the interior space of a housing can be effectively used. Since the signal processing board can be made adjacent to a tube wall of the photomultiplier tube, even when the length in a tube axis direction of the signal processing board is long, it becomes possible to house the same in the housing. Therefore, it becomes possible to achieve miniaturization.

Abstract: A time-resolved measurement apparatus (100) reads a detection timing pulse from an MCP (24) in a front-side MCP stack (30) in a photomultiplier tube (14). A detection timing of a photon is determined based on this pulse. A principal component of this pulse is a potential rise pulse in response to the emission of photoelectrons from the MCP (24), and it has the positive polarity. On the other hand, when photoelectrons are incident on the front-side stack (30), a pulse of the negative polarity is generated to deform the waveform of the detection timing pulse. However, since the number of the photoelectrons incident on the front-side stack (30) is fewer than that of those incident on a rear-side stack (32), the negative component is small in the detection timing pulse. This results in enhancing the time precision of the time-resolved measurement.

Abstract: A photon detector has a photocathode for the photon-induced triggering of measuring electrons. Spatial position information is supplied by an at least one-dimensional electron-detector pixel array. An electron optics unit serves for guiding the measuring electrons to the array. Each pixel (19) has an electronic converter unit (20) for converting an analog measuring signal of the pixel (19) into a digital measuring signal, which incorporates a discriminator for background suppression. An electronic post-processing unit (39) serves for processing the digital measuring signal. The converter unit (20) of each pixel (19) has at least one clock generator (36), as well as at least one counter (29, 30), which is in signal connection with the clock generator (36) and discriminator (27) for generation of a digital timing signal.

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: Apparatus for amplifying a stream of primary charged particles comprises a body defining a chamber and an entrance aperture for receiving the stream of primary charged particles into the chamber, and an incident dynode, adapted to be charged to a pre-determined electrical potential, having a surface positioned in the chamber to be impacted by said primary charged particles at an angle of incidence greater than 30° from the surface normal and in response to the impact to generate a stream of secondary charged particles.

Abstract: A multi-purpose efficient charge particle detector that by switching bias voltages measures either secondary ions, or secondary electrons (SE) from a sample, or secondary electrons that originate from back scattered electrons (SE3), is described. The basic version of the detector structure and two stripped down versions enable its use for the following detection combinations: The major version is for measuring secondary ions, or secondary electrons from the sample, or secondary electrons due to back-scattered electrons that hit parts other than the sample together or without secondary electrons from the sample. Measuring secondary ions or secondary electrons from the sample (no SE3). Measuring secondary electrons from the sample and/or secondary electrons resulting from back-scattered electrons hitting objects other than the sample (no ions).

Abstract: An electron multiplier includes a plate having a plurality of interconnected particles, e.g., fibers, having electron-emissive surfaces. The particles may include a neutron-sensitive and/or neutron reactive material, such as 6Li, 10B, 155Gd, 157Gd,—and/or hydrogenous compounds, in excess of their natural abundance. The particles may include an X-ray sensitive and/or X-ray reactive material, such as Pb.

Abstract: A limiter device is used as a fiber optic faceplate (FOFP) night vision goggle for limiting light or laser induced damage on a vacuum side of the FOFP. The limiter device includes a plurality of longitudinally extending optical fibers, each bundled to each other to form a light input surface on an external side of the FOFP and a light output surface on the vacuum side of the FOFP. The optical fibers include fiber optic cores and a glass cladding surrounding each of the cores. A portion of the glass cladding is replaced by an optical absorber material extending longitudinally away from the light input surface. The optical absorber material may extend longitudinally about 1-20 microns away from the light input surface.

Abstract: Electron multipliers, radiation detectors, and methods of making the multipliers and detectors are described. In some embodiments an electron multiplier has a structure including a plurality of interconnected fibers having electron-emissive surfaces, the fibers having a width to thickness aspect ratio greater than one.

Abstract: A replaceable, electronically-isolated, MCP-based spectrometer detector cartridge with enhanced sensitivity is disclosed. A mass detector is electro-optically isolated from a charge collector with an electron multiplier for converting a charged particle into a multiplicity of electrons and a scintillator for converting the multiplicity of electrons into a multiplicity of photons. A light sensor is provided to convert the multiplicity of photons back into electrons which are summed into a charge pulse. The light sensor is realized by any of a plurality of photo-responsive devices.

Abstract: An image intensifier and electron multiplier therefor is disclosed. Photons of an image impinge a photo-cathode that converts the photons to electrons. An electron multiplier multiplies the electrons from the photo-cathode to create an increased number of electrons. A sensor captures the increased number of electrons to produce an intensified image. The electron multiplier is an electron bombarded device (EBD) containing a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure has an input surface for receiving electrons and an emission surface for passing an increased number of electrons. The semiconductor structure is doped to direct the flow of electrons through the semiconductor structure to an emission area on the emission surface.

Abstract: An electron tube 10 is provided with: an MCP (electron multiplier) 14 which includes a multiplying portion 16 having a large number of microscopic holes for electron passage that can emit secondary electrons and a peripheral portion 18 that surrounds multiplying portion 16; and with a vacuum closed container 12 enclosing at least multiplying portion 16 of MCP 14. Thus, peripheral portion 18 of MCP 14 forms at least a portion of sidewalls 22 of vacuum closed container 12. Multiplying portion 16 is increased in size in this configuration in comparison with configurations having the same outer dimensions that accommodate the entirety of an MCP inside of vacuum closed container 12.

Abstract: An electron multiplier includes a plate having a plurality of interconnected particles, e.g., fibers, having electron-emissive surfaces. The particles may include a neutron-sensitive and/or neutron reactive material, such as 6Li, 10B, 155Gd, 157Gd, —and/or hydrogenous compounds, in excess of their natural abundance. The particles may include an X-ray sensitive and/or X-ray reactive material, such as Pb.

Abstract: A replaceable, electronically-isolated, MCP-based spectrometer detector cartridge with enhanced sensitivity is disclosed. A coating on the MCP that enhances the secondary electron emissivity characteristics of the MCP is selected from aluminum oxide (Al2O3), magnesium oxide (MgO), tin oxide (SnO2), quartz (SiO2), barium fluoride (BaF2), rubidium tin (Rb3Sn), beryllium oxide (BeO), diamond and combinations thereof A mass detector is electro-optically isolated the from a charge collector with a method of detecting a particle including accelerating the particle with a voltage, converting the particle into a multiplicity of electrons and converting the multiplicity of electrons into a multiplicity of photons. The photons then are converted back into electrons which are summed into a charge pulse. A detector also is provided.

Abstract: To provide a plate of high resolution and large area. The channel plate configured by including a substrate, a first electrode placed on the top face of the substrate, and a second electrode placed on the bottom face of the substrate, wherein the substrate is a porous element having a plurality of pores extending therethrough, and the porous element is formed by a compound including aluminum, and the porous element has an electron multiplier on a wall surface of the pore.

Abstract: A diamond transmission dynode and photocathode are described which include a thin layer of a crystalline semiconductive material. The semiconductive material is preferably textured with a (100) orientation. Metallic electrodes are formed on the input and output surfaces of the semiconductive material so that a bias potential can be applied to enhance electron transport through the semiconductive material. An imaging device and a photomultiplier utilizing the aforesaid transmission dynode and/or photocathode are also described.

Abstract: An electron multiplier having an access for allowing a beam to pass is presented. The electron multiplier collects particles traveling back along the beam and is capable of collecting the particles arbitrarily close to the beam. The electron multiplier includes at least two plates having secondary electron emitting surfaces, the at least two plates being separated by a small distance. The electron multiplier has a beam access through the at least two plates. Particles enter the electron multiplier in a direction opposite that of propagation of the beam and impact a secondary electron emitting surface, thereby being captured between the top plate and the bottom plate. In some embodiments of the invention, the electron multiplier is segmented so that azimuthal distributions of the particles can be determined. In some embodiments, the electron multiplier includes a stack of electron emitting surfaces arranged so that an angular distribution of the particles can be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting ionizing radiation are presented. The apparatus includes a scintillator adapted to convert incident ionizing radiation into light; a photocathode adapted to release photoelectrons in dependence on the light; an electron avalanche amplifier adapted to avalanche amplify the photoelectrons; and a readout arrangement adapted to detect the avalanche amplified electrons. The electron avalanche amplifier in one implementation is a gaseous avalanche amplifier including an array of amplification regions. A protective layer is provided to prevent the avalanche gas from coming into contact with the photocathode.

Abstract: A radiation converter includes a radiation absorber for generating light photons dependent on the intensity of incident radiation following the radiation absorber by a photocathode, an electrode system for accelerating the electrons emanating from the photocathode onto an electron detector for generating electrical signals dependent on the incident electrons, and an electron multiplier arranged between the photocathode and the electron detector. The electrons emanating from the photocathode are multiplied by the electron multiplier.

Abstract: In this photomultiplier tube 1, light incident on a light-receiving faceplate 3 is converted into photoelectrons by a photosensitive surface 3a, and the photoelectrons strike a dynode 4 to emit many secondary electrons. The secondary electrons are then collected by a mesh-like anode 5. Since the anode 5 is disposed to be parallel to the photosensitive surface 3a, the photoelectrons emerging from the photosensitive surface 3a can easily pass through a mesh portion 5a, and many photoelectrons can be made to strike the dynode 4. As the number of photoelectrons incident on the dynode 4 increases, the number of secondary electrons from the dynode 4 increases. This improves the gain characteristics of the photomultiplier tube 1. Since a secondary electron emission surface 4a of the dynode 4 is tilted with respect to the anode 5, photoelectrons having passed through the anode 5 obliquely strike the secondary electron emission surface 4a of the dynode 4.

Abstract: An electron multiplication apparatus uses a matrix of dielectric particles interspersed with conductive particles. Typically a porous layer of metal oxide and relatively inert metal, the material provides high electron count rates while maintaining good temperature stability. The layer is located between a cathode and an anode that together provide desired voltage differentials. A mesh is also used on a side of the matrix layer opposite the cathode to conduct surface charge away from the matrix, while providing an intermediate voltage potential between that of the anode and the cathode. A voltage source is used to generate the voltage potentials for each of the anode, cathode and mesh layer, and the resulting electric fields provide a device that may be used in the detection of high energy particles and photons, such as x-rays. A preferred method of fabricating the material involves the codeposition of a metal prone to oxidation and a relatively inert metal to form a porous layer.

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 optoelectronic shutter for radiation, comprising an input plate and an output plate, comprising material substantially transparent to the radiation, each plate having an outer and an inner surface, wherein a recess is formed in the inner surface of at least one of the plates, and wherein respective non-recessed portions of the inner surfaces of the plates are bonded together, and the recess defines a vacuum chamber enclosed by the two plates; a photocathode fixed to the inner surface of the input plate, adjacent the chamber, and a photo-emissive anode, fixed to the inner surface of the output plate, adjacent the chamber and opposite the photocathode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electron multiplier including a structure which effectively prevents an electric field from leaking to the front side of an MCP due to a voltage applied to the MCP, facilitates an operation of attaching/detaching the MCP, and prevents the MCP from being damaged and so forth during the operation. The electron multiplier includes an MCP as electron multiplying means, and an outer electric field shield member for accommodating the MCP. The electric field shield cap includes a body portion surrounding at least a side face of the MCP. The electron multiplier further includes a structure by which, while the MCP is held by the outer electric field shield member and an inner electric field shield member accommodated in the outer electric field shield member, the outer electric field shield member is attached to a base of the electron multiplier so as to facilitate the operation of attaching/detaching the MCP.

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.

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: This invention relates to a transmission type electron multiplier having a high secondary electron generation efficiency and having the structure capable of detecting positions of incidence of detected light, and also to an electron tube provided therewith. The electron tube comprises a closed container, an electron source, housed in the closed container, for emitting electrons into the closed container, an anode disposed so as to face the electron source, and a transmission type electron multiplier disposed between the electron source and the anode. Particularly, the transmission type electron multiplier comprises a thin film of diamond or a material containing a principal component of diamond, and a reinforcing member for reinforcing the thin film, the reinforcing member having an aperture for exposing a part of the thin film.

Abstract: A flat-panel gas discharge display operable with either alternating or direct current includes magnetic elements within certain of the electrodes which define the discharge cell. The display may be free of implosive forces when operated at least at substantially atmospheric pressure. The display comprises a first set of conductors disposed on a transparent substrate and a second set crossing over the first set at a distance therefrom. The second set of conductors includes a magnetic core or layer whereby the second set of conductors is magnetically attracted to an array of contact points on the substrate. An array of crosspoints is formed at each location where a conductor of the second set crosses over a conductor of the first set. A gas is contained in the space between the first and second sets of conductors at each crosspoint. The gas will undergo light emissive discharge when a voltage greater than or equal to the Paschen minimum firing voltage is applied at a crosspoint.

Abstract: A field emission device with microchannel gain element provides a plurality of field emission or "cold" cathodes formed generally into an array. The cold cathodes are typically modulated by a grid having a driving voltage. A microchannel gain element is located adjacent the array of cathodes and provides a series of microchannels having a secondary electron emissive material within each of the channels. The channels correspond in number and location to the cathodes and enable multiplication of electrons emitted by the cathodes. Multiplication of the electrons enables the cathodes to be driven at a lower current of emitted electrons than normally applied, absent the microchannel, to obtain the same resulting beam. The beam exiting each of the microchannels is directed to an anode which can comprise a phosphor for use in a flat panel display.

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.

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.

Abstract: A soft x-ray imaging device is disclosed having a housing defining a housing chamber. A faceplate having a planar surface is secured to the housing so that the planar surface is positioned within the housing chamber. A phosphorus coating is applied to the planar surface of the faceplate for convening electrons to visible light. A microchannel plate for convening x-rays to electrons is secured within the housing chamber so that the microchannel plate is spaced from and parallel to the planar surface of the faceplate. An opening is formed in the housing in alignment with the microchannel plate and this opening is sealingly closed by a window which is made of a material substantially transparent to soft x-rays. This window also creates a vacuum tight housing chamber which is continuously evacuated by a pump.

Abstract: A collimator is included in a microchannel plate image intensifier (MCPI). Collimators can be useful in improving resolution of MCPIs by eliminating the scattered electron problem and by limiting the transverse energy of electrons reaching the screen. Due to its optical absorption, a collimator will also increase the extinction ratio of an intensifier by approximately an order of magnitude. Additionally, the smooth surface of the collimator will permit a higher focusing field to be employed in the MCP-to-collimator region than is currently permitted in the MCP-to-screen region by the relatively rough and fragile aluminum layer covering the screen. Coating the MCP and collimator surfaces with aluminum oxide appears to permit additional significant increases in the field strength, resulting in better resolution.

Abstract: An imaging tube having a fiber optic plate (FOP) as an output faceplate. On one surface of the FOP within an evacuated envelope is deposited a first transparent conductive layer. On the first transparent conductive layer is deposited a fluorescent layer. On the fluorescent layer is deposited a metal-back electrode. On the other surface of the FOP outside the evacuated envelope is deposited a second transparent conductive layer. The first transparent conductive layer and the metal-back electrode are electrically connected so that an electrical field is not developed across the fluorescent layer when the metal-back electrode is applied with a high positive voltage and the second transparent conductive layer is grounded. Therefore, even if leakage currents flow through the FOP, electric charges impinging upon the first transparent conductive layer will not cause the fluorescent layer to generate noise spots.

Abstract: A soft x-ray imaging device is disclosed having a housing defining a housing chamber. An optic post having a planar surface is secured to the housing so that the planar surface is positioned within the housing chamber. A phosphorus coating is applied to the planar surface of the post for converting electrons to visible light. A microchannel plate for converting x-rays to electrons is secured within the housing chamber so that the microchannel plate is spaced from and parallel to the planar surface of the optic post. An opening is formed in the housing in alignment with the microchannel plate and this opening is sealingly closed by a window which is made of a material substantially transparent to soft x-rays. This window also creates a vacuum tight housing chamber.

Abstract: An image intensifier tube having a conductive coating for draining away accumulated electrons that cause the image intensifier tube to lose resolution. The conductive coating is formed on the insulating surface of the image intensifier tube microchannel plate. The conductive coating is formed from the evaporation of cathode sublimation products which include barium, nickel and tungsten.

Abstract: An image intensifier tube that utilizes a photoresponsive layer for producing electrons in response to received radiation, a solid state electron amplifier for multiplying the electrons produced by the photoresponsive layer, a cold cathode for emitting electrons into vacuum, and a phosphor screen for converting impinging electrons into a visible image. The solid state electron amplifier is formed as a semiconductive layer interposed in between a photoresponse layer and a negative electron affinity layer on the photocathode. The solid state electron amplifier receives the electrons produced by the photoresponsive layer, multiplies the electrons and directs the electrons to the negative electron affinity layer. The negative electron affinity layer then directs the electrons through a vacuum to the phosphor screen producing a viewed image.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to image intensifier tubes of the proximity focusing type, wherein it especially concerns the positioning of a primary screen with respect to a slab of microchannels. An image intensifier tube comprises a sealed chamber containing a primary screen and a slab of microchannels. The slab of microchannels is fixed to the body of the chamber. According to one characteristic, the primary screen is fixed to the slab, from which it is kept at a distance by means of at least one insulating shim. The result thereof is greater precision and greater uniformity of the spacing between the primary screen and the slab of microchannels.

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.

Abstract: A photomultiplier tube comprising a photocathode (10), focusing electrodes (12, 12') and a fast multiplier structure (20) having a large input surface relative to the photocathode and comprising at least one input dynode (21). According to the invention, said photomultiplier tube comprises, between the photocathode (10) and said focusing multiplier structure (20), a first multiplier stage (30) comprising, in succession and viewed from the assembly consisting of the photocathode (10) and the focusing electrodes (12, 12'), a grid (31), a first multiplier dynode (32) of the apertured-plate type, and an extracting grid (33) having the same pattern as said first multiplier dynode (32), the output of the extracting grid (33) being coupled to said input dynode (21) of the multiplier pattern by means of a focusing electrode (40).

Abstract: An image intensifier tube having a photocathode, a microchannel plate and an anode. The anode includes a lens element with a phosphor screen deposited thereon as an output window. The lens element may take the form of either a plano-convex or plano-concave element and has either a spheric or aspheric curved surface. In a modified version a plano glass element is affixed to the plano surface of the lens element. Methods of forming the tube with the lens element are at the time the finished tube is assembled in the intensifier device or at the time the tube is constructed.