Microchannel plate and method of making the microchannel plate with metal contacts selectively formed on one side of channel openings

A night vision system, comprising:

• an image intensifier tube placed between a lens and an eyepiece, wherein the image intensifier tube comprises:
• a photocathode;
• a phosphor covered anode;
• and
• a microchannel plate arranged a spaced distance between the photocathode and the phosphor covered anode;
• wherein the microchannel plate comprises a spaced plurality of channel openings with circular cross sections extending from an input side of the microchannel plate facing the photocathode through to an output side of the microchannel plate;
• wherein the channel openings are funnel shaped channel openings;
• wherein the channel openings have a have a channel bias angle taken along the central axis of the channel openings;
• wherein the microchannel plate has an un-shaded side corresponding with an inner surface of the channel openings that is visible from a line of sight perpendicular to the normal of the input side;
• wherein the microchannel plate has a shaded side corresponding with an inner surface of the channel openings that is not visible from a line of sight perpendicular to the normal of the input side;
• and
• wherein a first side of the shaded side includes contact metal to draw first strike electrons produced from a second side of the channel openings radially opposite the first side.