EP0366500B1 - Dispositif intensificateur d'image - Google Patents

Dispositif intensificateur d'image Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0366500B1
EP0366500B1 EP89311150A EP89311150A EP0366500B1 EP 0366500 B1 EP0366500 B1 EP 0366500B1 EP 89311150 A EP89311150 A EP 89311150A EP 89311150 A EP89311150 A EP 89311150A EP 0366500 B1 EP0366500 B1 EP 0366500B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
image
photocathode
glass plate
lens element
tube
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP89311150A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0366500A2 (fr
EP0366500A3 (en
Inventor
Earle N. Phillips
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
International Standard Electric Corp
Original Assignee
International Standard Electric Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by International Standard Electric Corp filed Critical International Standard Electric Corp
Publication of EP0366500A2 publication Critical patent/EP0366500A2/fr
Publication of EP0366500A3 publication Critical patent/EP0366500A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0366500B1 publication Critical patent/EP0366500B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J31/00—Cathode ray tubes; Electron beam tubes
    • H01J31/08—Cathode ray tubes; Electron beam tubes having a screen on or from which an image or pattern is formed, picked up, converted, or stored
    • H01J31/50—Image-conversion or image-amplification tubes, i.e. having optical, X-ray, or analogous input, and optical output
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J29/00—Details of cathode-ray tubes or of electron-beam tubes of the types covered by group H01J31/00
    • H01J29/86—Vessels; Containers; Vacuum locks
    • H01J29/89—Optical or photographic arrangements structurally combined or co-operating with the vessel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J31/00—Cathode ray tubes; Electron beam tubes
    • H01J31/08—Cathode ray tubes; Electron beam tubes having a screen on or from which an image or pattern is formed, picked up, converted, or stored
    • H01J31/50—Image-conversion or image-amplification tubes, i.e. having optical, X-ray, or analogous input, and optical output
    • H01J31/505—Image-conversion or image-amplification tubes, i.e. having optical, X-ray, or analogous input, and optical output flat tubes, e.g. proximity focusing tubes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J2229/00—Details of cathode ray tubes or electron beam tubes
    • H01J2229/89—Optical components associated with the vessel
    • H01J2229/893—Optical components associated with the vessel using lenses

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an image intensifier device and a method of fabricating such a device.
  • Image intensifier devices multiply the amount of incident light they receive and thus provide an increase in light output which can be supplied either to a camera or directly to the eyes of a viewer. These devices are particularly useful for providing images from dark regions and have both industrial and military application. For example, these devices are used for enhancing the night vision of aviators, for photographing astronomical bodies and for providing night vision to sufferers of retinitis pigmentosa (night blindness).
  • Modern image intensifier devices include three main components, namely a photocathode, a phospor screen (anode) and a microchannel plate (MCP) positioned intermediate to the photocathode and anode. These components are housed in a tube.
  • the photocathode is extremely sensitive to low-radiation levels of infrared light in the 580-900 nm (red) spectral range.
  • the MCP is a thin glass plate having an array of microscopic holes through it. Each hole is capable of acting as a channel-type secondary emission electron multiplier.
  • the microchannel plate When the microchannel plate is placed in the plane of an electron image in an intensifier tube, one can achieve a gain of up to several thousand. Since each channel in a micro-channel plate operates nearly independently of all the others, a bright point source of light will saturate a few channels but will not spread out over adjacent areas. This characteristic of "local saturation" makes these tubes more immune to blooming at bright areas.
  • the anode of the image intensifier tube includes an output window and a phosphor screen which is formed on one surface of the window.
  • Known tubes have included the use of a flat glass window as an output screen for the image intensifier.
  • the two parallel glass surfaces of the window cause reflections and ghost images which cannot be eliminated by the use of anti-reflective coatings.
  • a fibre optic output element is normally used instead of a flat glass output window.
  • the fibre optic window is comprised of a matrix of very thin core glass rods surrounded by a clad glass. It is a high cost component. In addition, approximately 35% of the surface area of the fibre optic window is blocked from receiving light due to the matrix construction. Thus, the performance of the device is degraded due mainly to the relatively low open or optically usable area of the fibre optic window, which is typically about 60%.
  • U.S. Patent Serial No. 4,406,973 discloses an example of image intensifier tube having at the output end a fibre optic inverter comprising a bundle of optical fibres to the input ends of which a phosphor screen of the anode is applied and the output ends of which define a concave surface for receiving a lens element.
  • U.S. Patent Serial No. 3,030,544 discloses an image intensifier tube avoiding the use of a fibre optic output window but in which the output window is defined by a glass disc to one side of which a phosphor screen of the anode is applied and the other side of which is completely lenticulated to provide a multiplicity of spherically curved surfaces each of which is obscured or covered by a light reflective material having a central aperture therein for the transmission of light.
  • an image intensifier tube including a photocathode comprising an input window formed of optical material and having a planar light receiving surface and an opposed planar light transmitting surface with photoemissive means thereon for emitting electrons in response to light received at said photoemissive means, amplifying means positioned adjacent said photoemissive means for amplifying the number of electrons emitted from said photoemissive means, converting means positioned adjacent said amplifying means for converting the energy from said amplified electrons to light to form an image, and an output element for outputting the image from said converting means having means for preventing reflections of the image between said output element and said planar light transmitting surface of said input window in the form of a lens element of solid glass or other optical material positioned adjacent said converting means having a planar surface in parallel with said planar light transmitting surface of said input window for receiving the image from said converting means and a single unobscured spherical or aspherical surface at the output of the intensifier tube
  • a method of forming an image intensifier device comprises the steps of forming a photocathode for receiving input light and emitting electrons in response to the received light, the photo cathode comprising an input window with spaced parallel planar surfaces, providing means for amplifying the number of electrons emitted from the photocathode, placing a glass plate adjacent the amplifying means, forming a phosphor screen on one surface of the glass plate to provide an anode which faces the amplifying means for converting the amplified electrons into an image, surrounding the photocathode, amplifying means, and anode with a housing having two opposed ends, the photocathode being located in one end and the glass plate in the other end, and providing means for preventing reflections of the image between said glass plate and the planar surface of said photocathode by joining a lens element of solid glass or other optical material having a planar first surface to the other surface of said glass plate and a single unobscured spherical or aspherical surface at
  • Figure 1 shows a prior art image intensifier tube 10 having an input window which may be either glass or fibre optic, a photoemissive wafer 14 bonded to the window 12, a microchannel plate 16 and output window 18.
  • the output window has a phosphor screen 20 positioned at a surface of the output window adjacent the microchannel plate 16.
  • the output window 18 is a fibre optic element. While the fibre optic window allows images to be transferred from its input side to its output side with very low attenuation, the performance of the window suffers from a relatively low open area ratio.
  • FIG. 2 shows an image intensifier tube 22 of the present invention.
  • the tube 22 can be seen to comprise three basic components: a photoemissive wafer 26 coated on an input window or faceplate 28 which functions as a cathode; a microchannel plate (MCP) 30 and an anode including a phosphor screen 32 deposited on an output window 34 which functions as an anode.
  • the components are positioned in a housing 24. Power is supplied to the photoemissive wafer 26, the MCP 30 and the phosphor screen 32 by means either integral with or external to the housing 24.
  • the input window 28 is normally sealed within the housing 24 and is surrounded by a peripheral flange 36. Members 38 support the input window 28 in the housing 24.
  • a retainer ring 40 seals the end of the tube 22 and supports the output window in the housing 24.
  • the microchannel plate 30 is formed of a glass material which possesses a secondary emissive property and conductive characteristics.
  • the faceplate 28 receives and transmits light. Light rays penetrate the faceplate 28 and are directed to the photoemissive wafer 26 which transforms the photons of light into electrons. The electrons are transmitted to the MCP30 which operates to multiply the number of electrons, all in accordance with known principles.
  • the usual photoemissive wafer is a suitable gallium arsenide (GaAs) device, but other suitable materials can be used.
  • the microchannel plate 30 is mounted in the tube 22 with both its input and output faces parallel to the photoemissive wafer 26 and the phosphor screen 32, respectively.
  • a radiation image impinging on the photocathode causes the emission of electrons which are attracted to the microchannel plate which is maintained at a higher positive potential than the photocathode.
  • Each electron impinging on the MCP 30 results in the emission of a number of secondary electrons which in turn causes the emission of more secondary electrons.
  • the electron gain or multiplication within the MCP 30 is controlled primarily by the potential difference applied across input and output surfaces of the MCP 30.
  • the electrons emanating from MCP 30 and containing the input radiation image information impinge on phosphor screen 32 causing the screen to fluoresce and reproduce the input image.
  • Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the output window 34 has two sections.
  • One section is a flat (plano) glass element 42.
  • the glass element 42 has a input surface 44 which is positioned adjacent the MCP 30 and an output surface 46.
  • the glass of the element may be any high quality optical glass.
  • the second section of the output window 34 is a plano-convex lens element 48.
  • the lens element 48 is joined at its plano surface 49 to the surface 46 of the glass element 42.
  • the phosphor screen 32 is positioned on the glass element at surface 44.
  • Lens element 48 may be either plano-convex or plano-concave, with a spherical or aspherical curved surface.
  • FIG 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention in which an output window is a single optical element.
  • An image intensifier tube 50 has the same structure as that shown in Figure 2 except that the output window 52 is a lens element 54 having a plano-convex configuration.
  • the lens element 54 is positioned so that its planar surface 56 is adjacent an MCP 58.
  • the element 54 is retained in a housing 60 by a retaining ring 62.
  • a phosphor screen 64 is positioned on the planar surface 56.
  • the lens elements 48, 54 are formed of any suitable optical material including glass and plastic.
  • lens elements 48 and 54 are shown as positive (or converging) lens elements, negative (or diverging) lens elements can also be used.
  • the lens elements may have either spherical or aspherical configurations.
  • Usable lens elements include Gradient Index (GRIN) lenses.
  • the second method is performed at the time the tube is constructed and will be described with reference to Figure 3. In this method, no additional process steps are necessary in the assembling of the finished tube into the image intensifier device.
  • the structure of Figure 2 is formed in the following manner.
  • the photoemissive wafer 26 is formed on the faceplate 28 to constitute the photocathode.
  • the phosphor screen 32 is deposited on the surface 44 of the glass element 42 to form the anode.
  • the anode is secured in the retainer ring 40.
  • the photocathode, microchannel plate 30 and anode are placed into the housing 24 and the housing is filled with a potting compound.
  • the retainer ring 40 is then placed on the end of the tube to seal the housing.
  • the fabrication of the tube is then complete.
  • the tube fabrication steps are performed in accordance with known procedures.
  • the lens element 48 Prior to insertion of the tube into the image intensifier device, the lens element 48 is bonded to the surface 46 of the plano glass element 42. This is accomplished by applying an optical adhesive to the surface 46 and pressing the lens element 48 in contact therewith and allowing sufficient time for curing of the adhesive.
  • the bonding step recited above may be eliminated by using the lens element 54 of Figure 3.
  • the lens element 54 is secured in the retainer ring 62 so that the surface 56 will be adjacent MCP 58 when the ring is in position in the tube.
  • lens element as an output window has been described herein, it is within the scope of this invention to use a lens element as a faceplate or input window.
  • This invention has many applications in the video display field, particularly for small CRT type displays used in military and commercial devices. These devices also include thermal imaging devices, video cameras and similar systems.

Landscapes

  • Image-Pickup Tubes, Image-Amplification Tubes, And Storage Tubes (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Tube (22,50) amplificateur d'image comportant une cathode photovoltaïque (26,28) comprenant une fenêtre d'entrée (28) formée d'un matériau optique et ayant une surface plane de réception de lumière et une surface plane opposée de transmission de lumière portant des moyens photoémetteurs (26) destinés à émettre des électrons en réponse à une lumière reçue par les moyens photoémetteurs, des moyens amplificateurs (30,58) adjacents aux moyens photoémetteurs (26) et destinés à amplifier le nombre d'électrons émis par les moyens photoémetteurs, des moyens convertisseurs (32,64) adjacents aux moyens amplificateurs et destinés à convertir l'énergie des électrons amplifiés en lumière pour former une image, et un élément de sortie destiné à délivrer l'image provenant des moyens convertisseurs et muni de moyens évitant des réflexions de l'image entre l'élément de sortie et la surface plane de transmission de lumière de la fenêtre d'entrée (28), constitués d'un élément formant lentille (48,54) de verre compact ou d'autre matériau optique, adjacente aux moyens convertisseurs, ayant une surface plane (56) parallèle à la surface plane de transmission de lumière de la fenêtre d'entrée (28) et destinée à recevoir l'image à partir des moyens convertisseurs, et une seule surface sphérique non dépolie, ou asphérique, située à la sortie du tube amplificateur pour transmettre l'image, sans réflexion, à partir de celui-ci.
  2. Tube selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les moyens amplificateurs sont constitués d'une galette de micro-canaux (30,58).
  3. Tube selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que les moyens convertisseurs sont constitués d'une couche de matériau fluorescent (32,64).
  4. Tube selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'un élément de matériau optique (42) ayant deux surfaces parallèles (44,46) est agencé de manière telle que l'une des surfaces parallèles soit positionnée sur la surface de réception d'images de l'élément formant lentille.
  5. Procédé de réalisation d'un tube amplificateur d'images (22) comprenant les étapes consistant à constituer une cathode photovoltaïque (28,26) destinée à recevoir une lumière d'entrée et à émettre des électrons en réponse à la lumière reçue, la cathode photovoltaïque comprenant une fenêtre d'entrée (28) avec des surfaces planes parallèles écartées, à fournir des moyens (30) destinés à amplifier le nombre d'électrons émis par la cathode photovoltaïque, à placer une plaque de verre (42) de manière adjacente aux moyens amplificateurs, à former un écran fluorescent sur l'une des surfaces de la plaque de verre pour fournir une anode qui regarde vers les moyens amplificateurs pour convertir les électrons en nombre amplifié en une image, à entourer la cathode photovoltaïque, les moyens amplificateurs (30) et l'anode par un boîtier (24) ayant deux extrémités opposées, la cathode photovoltaïque (26,28) étant située à l'une des extrémités et la plaque de verre (42) à l'autre extrémité, et à agencer des moyens destinés à empêcher des réflexions de l'image entre la plaque de verre et la surface plane de la cathode photovoltaïque en assemblant un élément formant lentille (48) en verre compact ou autre matériau optique, ayant une surface plane assemblée à l'autre surface de la plaque de verre (42) et une seule surface sphérique non dépolie ou asphérique située à la sortie du dispositif amplificateur pour transmettre l'image sans réflexion à partir de ce dernier.
  6. Procédé selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que l'étape consistant à placer une plaque de verre comporte l'assemblage d'un élément formant lentille sur une surface de la plaque de verre qui est éloignée de l'écran fluorescent.
  7. Procédé selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que l'étape d'assemblage comporte la liaison de la plaque de verre et de l'élément formant lentille.
  8. Procédé selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que l'étape de liaison comporte l'insertion d'un adhésif optique entre la plaque de verre et l'élément formant lentille.
EP89311150A 1988-10-27 1989-10-27 Dispositif intensificateur d'image Expired - Lifetime EP0366500B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US26536888A 1988-10-27 1988-10-27
US265368 1988-10-27

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0366500A2 EP0366500A2 (fr) 1990-05-02
EP0366500A3 EP0366500A3 (en) 1990-08-29
EP0366500B1 true EP0366500B1 (fr) 1992-12-02

Family

ID=23010146

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89311150A Expired - Lifetime EP0366500B1 (fr) 1988-10-27 1989-10-27 Dispositif intensificateur d'image

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0366500B1 (fr)
KR (1) KR960002664B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE68903733T2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2294234A (en) * 1994-10-21 1996-04-24 Ibm Bonding faceplates or overlays to VDU screens
AU7130898A (en) * 1997-04-25 1998-11-24 Matthew Colvard Method for observing the eye in minimal light
CN111952137B (zh) * 2020-08-14 2024-02-23 中国科学院工程热物理研究所 一种高分辨力高增益倍数的微光像增强器

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3030514A (en) * 1960-02-08 1962-04-17 Internat Telephone & Telegraph Image intensifier
US3154687A (en) * 1960-08-10 1964-10-27 Martin L Perl Optical feedback image intensifying system
JPS55141055A (en) * 1979-04-19 1980-11-04 Shimadzu Corp Image tube
US4406973A (en) * 1981-01-15 1983-09-27 Varo, Inc. Black glass shield and method for absorbing stray light for image intensifiers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0366500A2 (fr) 1990-05-02
KR900006809A (ko) 1990-05-08
KR960002664B1 (ko) 1996-02-24
DE68903733T2 (de) 1993-06-17
DE68903733D1 (de) 1993-01-14
EP0366500A3 (en) 1990-08-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5023511A (en) Optical element output for an image intensifier device
US5369267A (en) Microchannel image intensifier tube with novel sealing feature
CA2458532C (fr) Detecteur a semiconducteur hybride intensifie
US5911024A (en) Fiber optic display screen assembly and method for making a fiber optic screen
JP2001515646A (ja) 光学式シャッタ
JPH05266857A (ja) 光電陰極装置とその製造方法及び光電陰極装置を適用した暗視システム用画像増幅管
US4475059A (en) Image intensifier tube with reduced veiling glare and method of making same
US3803407A (en) Night viewing pocket scope
US6998635B2 (en) Tuned bandwidth photocathode for transmission negative electron affinity devices
US5742115A (en) Color image intensifier device and method for producing same
EP0059640B1 (fr) Photocathodes
JPH01290383A (ja) 撮像デバイス
EP0366500B1 (fr) Dispositif intensificateur d'image
US4560865A (en) Objectives particularly for television cameras
US6624414B1 (en) Image intensifier tube with IR up-conversion phosphor on the input side
US3735032A (en) Television pick-up tube device
GB2034513A (en) Colour image intensifier
US4569571A (en) Amplifier assembly for electromagnetic radiation, preferably in the actinic spectrum
US4661079A (en) Image intensifier tube having reduced veiling glare
Coleman Imaging detectors for the ultraviolet
US4974089A (en) Television camera apparatus using gradient index rod lens
JPH0775408B2 (ja) 撮像デバイス
US4730141A (en) Imaging tube having a reflective photocathode and internal optical means
US3868504A (en) Modular biocular eyepiece for thermal image systems
US6751384B2 (en) Method and apparatus for laser protection of photosensitive material

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): DE GB NL

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): DE GB NL

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19900813

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19910419

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE GB NL

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 68903733

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19930114

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20001003

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20001004

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20001006

Year of fee payment: 12

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20011027

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020501

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20011027

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 20020501

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020702