Ultrafast Gating Of Proximity Focused Microchannel-Plate Intensifiers

Arvid S. Lundy; A. Evan Iverson

doi:10.1117/12.967726

1 March 1983 Ultrafast Gating Of Proximity Focused Microchannel-Plate Intensifiers

Arvid S. Lundy, A. Evan Iverson

Proceedings Volume 0348, 15th Intl Congress on High Speed Photography and Photonics; (1983) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.967726
Event: 15th International Congress on High Speed Photography and Photonics, 1982, San Diego, United States

Abstract

Proximity-focused, microchannel-plate (MCP) image intensifiers have been used at Los Alamos for many years to allow single frame film and video exposure times in the range of 2.5 to 10 ns. There is now a program to reduce gating times to <1 ns. This paper reviews previous work and the problems in achieving good resolution with gating times of <1 ns. The key problems involve applying fast electrical gating signals to the tube elements. We present computer modeling studies of the combined tube, tube connection, and pulser system and show that low photocathode surface resistivity must be obtained to permit fast gating between the photocathode and the MCP input. We discuss ways of making low-resistivity S20 photocathodes, using gallium arsenide photocathodes, and various means of gating the tubes. A variety of pulser designs are being experimentally evaluated including spark gaps, avalanche transistors, Krytron tubes with sharpening gaps, step recovery diodes, and photoconductive elements (PCEs). The results of these studies are presented. Because of the high capacitances involved in most gating schemes, the tube connection geometry must be of low-impedance design, and our solution is presented. Finally, ways of testing these high-speed camera systems are discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Arvid S. Lundy and A. Evan Iverson "Ultrafast Gating Of Proximity Focused Microchannel-Plate Intensifiers", Proc. SPIE 0348, 15th Intl Congress on High Speed Photography and Photonics, (1 March 1983); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.967726

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