US 10,685,806 B2 · Image intensifier bloom mitigation

Abstract

Image intensifiers may include a photocathode that emits photoelectrons in proportion to the rate photons impact the photocathode. The photoelectrons are multiplied using a microchannel plate that includes a plurality of microchannels. Photoelectrons are scattered by the microchannel plate when the photoelectrons strike the surface of the microchannel plate rather than enter one of the microchannels. Electron scatter within an image intensifier results in a halo or bloom around bright or luminous objects. Halo or bloom may be minimized by reducing the electron scatter within the image intensifier. Deposition of an anti-scattering layer on the surface of the microchannel plate within the image intensifier can absorb photoelectrons that fail to enter a microchannel and may thus reduce the incidence of halo or bloom.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A reduced bloom effect image intensifier, comprising:

a photocathode to generate electrons in response to incident electromagnetic energy;
a phosphor screen;
a microchannel plate disposed between the photocathode and the phosphor screen, the microchannel plate having a first surface oriented toward the photocathode, a transversely opposed second surface oriented toward the phosphor screen, and a plurality of microchannels fluidly coupling the first surface and the second surface, the microchannel plate including:
an anti-scattering layer, the anti-scattering layer deposited across at least a portion of the first surface of the microchannel plate and extending a distance inside an entrance of each of the plurality of microchannels such that at least a portion of the entrance to the respective microchannel remains unobstructed;
wherein the anti-scattering layer includes at least one low-Z material that forms electron absorbing structures projecting from the first surface to provide an extended surface area to capture at least a portion of the electrons that fail to enter one of the plurality of microchannels.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Image intensifier bloom mitigation

Life of this patent

Image intensifier bloom mitigation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26