Ion Feedback Suppression for Microchannel Plate Applied to Third Generation Image Intensifiers

The application of an Ion barrier film (IBF) over the input side of the Microchannel plate (MCP), to protect the Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) photocathode from damage by the ion feedback from MCP during operation, while provide third generation (Gen. 3) image intensifier with longevity of service, also cause which sufferd a significant degradation in Signal to noise ratio (SNR). Thus, for improventment of the SNR of Gen. 3 image intensifier, the essential way is to suppress the generation of ion feedback within MCP in order to thin the IBF or even completely removal of it. In this paper a MCP based on a glass-ceramic substrate was developed, this MCP with optimizations of glass composition and devitrification remodification of microstructure which show great promise to suppress the generation of ion feedback within MCP, making it possible to thin the IBF and fabricate a Gen. 3 image intensifier with improved SNR while maintaining reliability requirement.