Image intensification tube
AssigneeLitton Systems, Inc.
InventorMichael Jude Iosue
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image intensifier tube includes a photocathode (20) with an active layer (52) providing an electrical spectral response to photons of light. The photocathode (20) also includes integral spacer structure (42) which extends toward and physically touches a microchannel plate (22) of the image intensifier tube in order to establish and maintain a desirably precise and fine-dimension spacing distance “G” between the photocathode and the microchannel plate. A method of making the photocathode and a method of making the image intensifier tube are described also.
Claims11
A method of making an image intensifier tube which includes a photocathode with an active layer and a microchannel plate, and further includes structure for establishing a fine-dimension spacing distance between the photocathode and microchannel plate, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a body for said image intensifier tube;
- carrying said microchannel plate within said body;
- providing a window portion for closing said body and carrying said photocathode;
- providing a generally annular insulative spacing structure circumscribing said active layer and extending between said photocathode and said microchannel plate to establish and maintain said fine-dimension spacing distance.
A method of making establishing and maintaining a selected fine-dimension spacing dimension between an active area of a photocathode and an electron input face of a microchannel plate, said method comprising steps of:
- providing a generally annular insulative spacing structure circumscribing said active layer and extending between said photocathode and said electron input face of said microchannel plate;
- and
- utilizing said spacing structure by physical contact with at least one of said photocathode and microchannel plate to establish said selected fine-dimension spacing dimension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.