Flip-header and tube base for CTD mounting within an image intensifier

Claim 1

In a modified image intensifier tube, a tube base support body and flip-header device with a semiconductor charge transfer device thereon in proximity focus with the photocathode, other overall device comprised of: a ceramic tube base having a plurality of electrically conductive material wells that are electrically connected by built-in electrical leads to a plurality of output pins, said tube base brazed to a tube wall with an electrically grounded Kovar ring therebetween; a flip-header comprised of a ceramic body having an array of built-in electrical conductors connected to a plurality of external electrical pins for insertion into said plurality of electrically conductive material wells and a conductive refractory metal plate over the outside of the ceramic body that is connected by a spring loaded electrical contact to said electrically grounded Kovar ring at one end and has a smooth well rounded extended lip out from the ceramic body on the other end that extends past an electrically grounded thick portion of a charge transfer device and over a portion of the thinned region wherein a plurality of electrical connecting wires are attached between the outputs of said charge transfer device and a plurality of bonding pads connected to said array of built-in electrical conductors; and an input transparent faceplate having a photocathode positioned opposite said charge transfer device on said flip-header and a knife sealing edge that is inserted in an indium alloy filled concentric groove built in said tube wall for sealing the ultra high vacuum in said image intensifier tube wherein a cathode high voltage is connected through said indium filled alloy to said photocathode and wherein said extended lip of said conductive refractory metal plate bleeds stray charges from said photocathode and backscatter charges from said charge transfer device to allow higher operating voltage in said image intensifier tube.