4 μm ultra-thin microchannel plate

Abstract

Microchannel plate (MCP) is the core material and compact multiplier of the image intensifier for two-dimensional parallel multiplication. Gain and spatial resolution are key indexes of MCP for high-performance signal multiplication. The reduction in the microchannel pore size is the most effective way to improve the limiting spatial resolution. Meanwhile, the optimum aspect ratio is needed to satisfy the requirements for high electronic gain, while a small pore means ultra-thin thickness. However, the thinner the MCP is, the easier it is to deform. Thus, the deformation has become the main bottleneck of high performance and high resolution in the ultra-thin MCP multiplier. In this paper, we manufactured the nondeformable bordered MCPs with a pore size of 4μm. Controlled the hybrid field-effect for internal stress relieving, optimized matching thermodynamic properties of solid-border glass and cladding glass of MCPs, were both considered to limit the deformation. The single MCP was tested and achieved electronic gain >104 at a bias voltage of 900V without fixed pattern noises; the limiting spatial resolution was 117 lp/mm; the dark current of the V-stacked MCPs was 0.5 pA.