The Ranicon: A resistive anode image converter

Abstract

A versatile photon and charged particle imaging system is described. The Ranicon employs a microchannel electron multiplier plate to convert each detected event into a charge signal. This charge pulse is proximity focused onto a large area resistive anode plate equipped with pickup electrodes on its edges. Each event is located electronically by the ratios of the charges collected at the edges or by the differences of the signals' rise times. One or two dimensional pictures are built up by storing events digitally (e.g., a core memory) or in analog form (e.g., a storage oscilloscope). Compact laboratory models have been constructed and tested. Operating characteristics, applications, limitations, and advantages of the Ranicon are discussed.