Image intensifier having an ion barrier with conductive material and method for making the same
AssigneeExelis, Inc.
InventorWilliam J. Baney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An image intensifier tube includes a collimator having multiple channels for receiving electrons from a photocathode layer, and a microchannel plate (MCP) having multiple channels for receiving electrons from the collimator. An ion barrier film (IBF) is disposed on top of an input side of the MCP, in which the IBF includes a small amount of conductive material. The IBF may include alumina doped with chromium oxide, or manganese oxide, or any other conductive material. The small amount of conductive material includes 1% to 5% of conductive material in a layer of non-conductive material.
Claims25
An image intensifier tube comprising:
- a collimator including multiple channels for receiving electrons from a photocathode layer;
- a microchannel plate (MCP) having multiple channels for receiving electrons from the collimator;
- and
- an ion barrier film (IBF) disposed on top of and in contact with the MCP between the collimator and the MCP, wherein the IBF comprises non-conductive material and approximately 1% to 5% of a conductive material.
An imager comprising:
- a microchannel plate (MCP) including multiple channels for receiving electrons from a photocathode layer, and
- an ion barrier film (IBF) disposed on top of and in contact with the MCP between the MCP and the photocathode layer, wherein the IBF comprises a non-conductive material and 1% to 5% of conductive material.
A method of making a microchannel plate (MCP) for an image intensifier tube, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming an ion barrier film (IBF) on top of and in connect with an input side of the MCP, wherein the IBF comprises 1% to 5% of a conductive material;
- and
- positioning the IBF between the MCP and a collimator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.