Image intensifier tube

Claim 2

A light amplifier tube comprising: an evacuated envelope having an input faceplate and an output faceplate; a photocathode disposed within the envelope adjacent the input faceplate; an imaging screen disposed within the envelope adjacent the output faceplate; a first electrode disposed between the photocathode and the imaging screen and spaced therefrom; a second electrode disposed between the first electrode and the imaging screen and spaced from the first electrode; means for establishing a first electrostatic field having equipotential surfaces disposed between the photocathode and the first electrode and a second electrostatic field having equipotential surfaces disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and adjustable means for modifying the equipotential surfaces of the second electrostatic field.

Claim 3

A light amplifier tube as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second electrostatic field comprises an electron decelerating field adjacent the first electrode and an electron accelerating field adjacent the second electrode.

Claim 4

A light amplifier tube as set forth in claim 2 wherein the adjustable means is positioned in adjoining portions of the decelerating and accelerating fields respectively.

Claim 5

A light amplifier tube as set forth in claim 3 wherein the adjustable means comprises an annular electrode having means for applying a voltage potential thereto.

Claim 6

A light amplifier tube comprising: an evacuated envelope having opposing input and output faceplates; a photocathode disposed within the envelope adjacent the input faceplate and axially aligned therewith; an imaging screen disposed within the envelope adjacent the output faceplate and axially aligned with the photocathode; an electrode sleeve disposed longitudinally between the photocathode and the imaging screen and in axially aligned spaced relationship therewith; a microchannel plate disposed between the electrode sleeve and the imaging screen and in axially aligned spaced relationship therewith, the plate having opposing metallized surfaces and a plurality of through holes extending therebetween; means for establishing an electrostatic field having equipotential surfaces between the electrode sleeve and the adjacent metallized surface of the microchannel plate; and adjustable means disposed in said electrostatic field for modifying the equipotential surfaces thereof.

Claim 7

A light amplifier tube comprising: an evacuated envelope having opposing input and output faceplates; a photocathode disposed within the envelope adjacent the input faceplate and axially aligned therewith; an imaging screen disposed within the envelope adjacent the output faceplate and axially aligned with the photocathode; an electrode sleeve disposed longitudinally between the photocathode and the imaging screen and in axially aligned spaced relationship therewith; a microchannel plate disposed between the electrode sleeve and the imaging screen and in axially aligned spaced relationship therewith, the plate having opposing metallized surfaces and a plurality of through holes extending therebetween; means for establishing an electrostatic field having equipotential surfaces between the electrode sleeve and the adjacent metallized surface of the microchannel plate; and adjustable means disposed in said electrostatic field for modifying the equipotential surfaces thereof.

Claim 8

A light amplifier tube as set forth in claim 5 wherein the opposing metallized surfaces of the microchannel plate are planar.

Claim 9

A light amplifier tube as set forth in claim 5 wherein the plurality of holes extend at a uniform angle with the opposing planar surfaces.

Claim 10

A light amplifier tube as set forth in claim 5 wherein the metallized surfaces of the microchannel plate have respective portions adjacent the end apertures of the respective holes metallized asymmetrically with respect to the axial center lines of the respective holes.

Claim 11

A light amplifier tube comprising: an evacuated envelope having opposing input and output faceplates, the input faceplate having a concAve inner surface; a photocathode disposed on the inner surface of the input faceplate in conforming relationship therewith; an imaging screen disposed within the envelope adjacent the output faceplate and axially aligned with the photocathode; an anode cone longitudinally disposed between the photocathode and the imaging screen, the cone having a small diameter apertured end disposed in axially aligned spaced relationship with the central portion of the photocathode and an opposing large diameter open end; a microchannel plate disposed between the large diameter open end of the anode cone and the imaging screen and in axially aligned spaced relationship therewith, the plate having opposing planar metallized surfaces and a plurality of through holes extending at a uniform angle therebetween; means for establishing an electrostatic field having equipotential surfaces between the large diameter end of the anode cone and the adjacent metallized surface of the microchannel plate; and adjustable means disposed in the electrostatic field for modifying the electrostatic surfaces thereof.

Claim 12

A light amplifier tube comprising: an evacuated envelope having opposing input and output faceplates, the input faceplate having a concAve inner surface; a photocathode disposed on the inner surface of the input faceplate in conforming relationship therewith; an imaging screen disposed within the envelope adjacent the output faceplate and axially aligned with the photocathode; an anode cone longitudinally disposed between the photocathode and the imaging screen, the cone having a small diameter apertured end disposed in axially aligned spaced relationship with the central portion of the photocathode and an opposing large diameter open end; a microchannel plate disposed between the large diameter open end of the anode cone and the imaging screen and in axially aligned spaced relationship therewith, the plate having opposing planar metallized surfaces and a plurality of through holes extending at a uniform angle therebetween; means for establishing an electrostatic field having equipotential surfaces between the large diameter end of the anode cone and the adjacent metallized surface of the microchannel plate; and adjustable means disposed in the electrostatic field for modifying the electrostatic surfaces thereof.

Claim 13

A light amplifier tube as set forth in claim 9 wherein the adjustable means includes an annular electrode disposed between the large diameter, open end of the cone and the adjacent metallized surface of the microchannel plate and also includes means for applying a controlled voltage potential thereto.