Method and system for enhanced vision employing an improved image intensifier and gated power supply

A device for photon detection and image generation, comprising:

• a photocathode operable to receive photons from an image;
• a gated power supply operable to switch the photocathode between an on state and an off state, wherein the photocathode is operable to discharge electrons in response to the received photons while in the on state and operable to discharge no electrons in response to the received photons while in the off state;
• a microchannel plate having an unfilmed input face and an output face, the unfilmed input face free of an ion barrier film, the microchannel plate receiving the electrons from the photocathode and producing secondary emission electrons in response, the secondary electrons emitting from the output face;
• and
• a screen operable to receive the secondary emission electrons and display a representation of the image.

A device for photon detection and image generation, comprising:

• a photocathode operable to receive photons from an image;
• a gated power supply comprising:
• a negative voltage source operable to generate a negative voltage,
• a positive voltage source operable to generate a positive voltage, and
• a switching network operable to alternatively couple the photocathode to the negative voltage source and the positive voltage source at a specified interval;
• a microchannel plate having an unfilmed input face and an output face, the unfilmed input face free of an ion barrier film, the microchannel plate operable to receive the electrons from the photocathode and produce secondary emission electrons in response, the secondary electrons emitted from the output face;
• and
• a screen operable to receive the secondary emission electrons and display a representation of the image.