UV imaging detectors with high performance microchannel plates

Abstract

We present recent progress in the development of novel microchannel plates (MCPs) manufactured using standard lead glass and with borosilicate glass microcapillary arrays functionalized using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) technology. Standard glass MCPs have achieved high quantum efficiency (~60% @115 nm & 65 nm) using opaque alkali halide photocathodes. Enhanced performance standard glass MCPs have also been demonstrated with no fixed pattern noise due to construction defects. Novel borosilicate glass atomic layer deposited MCPs up to 20 cm format show good overall response uniformity, tight pulse height distributions and very low background levels (0.05 events cm-2). Spatial resolutions of the order of 20 μm are demonstrated with 10 μm pore atomic layer deposited MCPs, and their fixed pattern noise has been significantly reduced. Bialkali cathodes in sealed tubes show high (<30%) efficiency at ~200 nm and long wavelength cutoffs at ~360 nm have been engineered.