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AssigneeLTT Manufacturing Enterprises
InventorSteven David Rosine
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A process for forming improved microchannel plates (“MCP”) for use in image intensifier tubes, the MCPs providing improved signal to noise, and reduced image distortion. The improved MCPs are first conventionally formed from the fusion of a plurality of glass fibers into a solid rod, where each fiber has an acid etchable core and acid-resistant cladding. Individual plates are then sliced transversely from the rod and polished. The MCP is then partially chemically etched with an alkaline material. The MCP is next subjected to an acid bath that removes the cores, optionally followed by a hot strong alkali bath that removes additional acid resistant cladding from the glass. Microchannels having funnel-shaped open ends are thereby formed in the MCP which allows for more efficient and accurate photoelectron generation.
A method for making a microchannel plate having a plurality of microchannels with funnel-shaped openings, said microchannel plate used as an electron multiplier in an image intensifier tube, said method comprising the steps of:
A microchannel plate used as an electron multiplier in an image intensifier tube having an electron receiving face and an electron-discharge face, said microchannel plate comprising a glass plate formed by a plurality of fused glass fibers, each of the fibers defining an open ended microchannel having a wall defined by a clad layer of the fiber, wherein at least one of said open ends of each microchannel is funneled by removing the clad layer in an alkaline material at an interface of the clad layer and a core.
A microchannel plate used as an electron multiplier in an image intensifier tube, the microchannel plate comprising a thin plate of glass formed from a plurality of glass fibers, said plate having an electron-receiving surface, an electron-discharge surface, and a plurality of microchannels extending between said surfaces, said microchannels having funneled openings fabricated by partially removing interface layers in an alkaline bath, the interface layers defined by cores and cladding of said fibers which form said plate.
A microchannel plate used as an electron multiplier in an image intensifier tube, the microchannel plate comprising a thin plate of glass formed from a plurality of glass fibers, said plate having an electron-receiving surface, an electron-discharge surface, and a plurality of microchannels extending between said surfaces, said microchannels having funneled openings fabricated by partially removing interface layers defined by cores and cladding of said fibers which form said plate, wherein said cladding is partially removed by an alkaline bath after said cores have been removed.
A method for making a microchannel plate having a plurality of microchannels with funnel-shaped openings, the method comprising the steps of:
A microchannel plate comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.