US 11,948,786 B2
Microchannel plate and method of making the microchannel plate with metal contacts selectively formed on one side of channel openings
Stephen Carroll, Salem, VA (US); William J. Baney, Roanoke, VA (US); Cooper Gray Temple, Christiansburg, VA (US); and Matthew Robert Curtis, Blue Ridge, VA (US)
Assigned to Elbit Systems of America, LLC, Fort Worth, TX (US)
Filed by Elbit Systems of America, LLC, Fort Worth, TX (US)
Filed on May 24, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/752,151.
Prior Publication US 2023/0386810 A1, Nov. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. H01J 43/28 (2006.01); C03C 15/00 (2006.01); C23C 14/04 (2006.01); C23C 14/14 (2006.01); C23C 14/22 (2006.01); C23C 14/24 (2006.01); C23C 14/50 (2006.01); G02B 23/12 (2006.01); H01J 43/02 (2006.01); H01J 43/12 (2006.01)
CPC H01J 43/28 (2013.01) [C03C 15/00 (2013.01); C23C 14/042 (2013.01); C23C 14/14 (2013.01); C23C 14/225 (2013.01); C23C 14/24 (2013.01); C23C 14/505 (2013.01); H01J 43/02 (2013.01); H01J 43/12 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A night vision system, comprising:
an image intensifier tube placed between a lens and an eyepiece, wherein the image intensifier tube comprises:
a photocathode;
a phosphor covered anode; and
a microchannel plate arranged a spaced distance between the photocathode and the phosphor covered anode;
wherein the microchannel plate comprises a spaced plurality of channel openings with circular cross sections extending from an input side of the microchannel plate facing the photocathode through to an output side of the microchannel plate;
wherein the channel openings are funnel shaped channel openings;
wherein the channel openings have a have a channel bias angle taken along the central axis of the channel openings;
wherein the microchannel plate has an un-shaded side corresponding with an inner surface of the channel openings that is visible from a line of sight perpendicular to the normal of the input side;
wherein the microchannel plate has a shaded side corresponding with an inner surface of the channel openings that is not visible from a line of sight perpendicular to the normal of the input side; and
wherein a first side of the shaded side includes contact metal to draw first strike electrons produced from a second side of the channel openings radially opposite the first side.