High-reliability GaAs image intensifier with unfilmed microchannel plate

Edward J. Bender; Joseph P. Estrera; C. E. Ford; A. Giordana; John W. Glesener; P. P. Lin; A. J. Nico; Timothy W. Sinor; R. H. Smithson

doi:10.1117/12.354970

19 July 1999 High-reliability GaAs image intensifier with unfilmed microchannel plate

Edward J. Bender, Joseph P. Estrera, C. E. Ford, A. Giordana, John W. Glesener, P. P. Lin, A. J. Nico, Timothy W. Sinor, R. H. Smithson

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3749, 18th Congress of the International Commission for Optics; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354970
Event: ICO XVIII 18th Congress of the International Commission for Optics, 1999, San Francisco, CA, United States

Abstract

Current GaAs image intensifier technology requires that the microchannel plate (MCP) have a thin dielectric film on the side facing the photocathode. This protective coating substantially reduces the amount of outgassing of ions and neutral species from the microchannels. The prevention of MCP outgassing is necessary in order to prevent the `poisoning' of the Cs:O surface on the GaAs photocathode. Many authors have experimented with omitting the MCP coating. The results of such experiments invariably lead to an intensifier with a reported useful life of less than 100 hours, due to contamination of the Cs:O layer on the photocathode. Unfortunately, the MCP film is also a barrier to electron transport within the intensifier. Substantial enhancement of the image intensifier operating parameters is the motivation for the removal of the MCP film. This paper presents results showing for the first time that it is possible to fabricate a long lifetime image intensifier with a single uncoated MCP.

Citation Download Citation

Edward J. Bender, Joseph P. Estrera, C. E. Ford, A. Giordana, John W. Glesener, P. P. Lin, A. J. Nico, Timothy W. Sinor, and R. H. Smithson "High-reliability GaAs image intensifier with unfilmed microchannel plate", Proc. SPIE 3749, 18th Congress of the International Commission for Optics, (19 July 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354970

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