Low light level and infrared viewing system

In a viewing system, the combination of:

• first and second units, each unit including in combination:
• first and second electrodes;
• means for supporting said electrodes in spaced relation with a gap therebetween;
• means for connecting an electrical power source across said electrodes for attracting electrons toward one electrode and positive ions toward the other depending upon the polarity of the power source;
• a photoresponsive layer on the inner face of said first electrode, with radiation directed onto said layer through said first electrode producing an electrostatic charge image at said gap;
• a plurality of electrophoretic particles dispersed in a dielectric liquid in said gap, with said particles being selectively deposited at said second electrode as a function of said electrostatic charge image;
• and
• means for illuminating said second electrode forming a visible image;
• with said units positioned in cascade with the output of said first unit directed as the input to said second unit.

A method of improving an image for viewing, including the steps of:

• generating an electric field in a photoresponsive layer and a dielectric liquid;
• directing radiation onto the photoresponsive layer producing an electrostatic image at the liquid with a density variation corresponding to the incoming radiation pattern, with the electrostatic charge image selectively moving electrophoretic particles in the liquid to a viewing plate;
• illuminating the viewing plate;
• and
• changing the electric field dispersing the electrophoretic particles.