IMAGE INTENSIFIER WITH INDEXED COMPLIANT ANODE ASSEMBLY

摘要

An image intensifier and a method of fabrication are disclosed. The image intensifier contains a photocathode assembly (120) including a vacuum window to generate photoelectrons in response to light, a vacuum package (110) and an anode assembly (130) to receive the photoelectrons. The anode assembly is mounted to the vacuum package via a compliant, springy, support structure (160). The anode additionally includes one or more insulating spacers (140) on the surface facing the photocathode so as to precisely index the position of the anode assembly with respect to the photocathode surface. The photocathode and vacuum window assembly is pressed into the vacuum package to generate a sealed leak tight vacuum envelope. During the photocathode assembly to vacuum package assembly pressing operation, the inner surface of the photocathode assembly contacts the insulating spacer/spacers of the anode assembly, thereby compressing the compliant support structure. This structure and assembly method result in a precisely indexed photocathode to anode assembly sealed image intensifier.

主权项

1. An image intensifier comprising:
a vacuum package assembly; a photocathode sealingly attached to the vacuum package assembly to thereby define a vacuum chamber, the photocathode having a bottom face comprising a photo-emissive surface; an anode positioned inside the vacuum chamber, the anode having a front surface comprising an electron sensitive surface, wherein the electron sensitive surface is oriented to face the photo-emissive surface; and, a resilient spring assembly attached in part to the vacuum package assembly and in part to a back surface of the anode.