<title>Advancement in microchannel-plate technology</title>

Abstract

Advances in four key areas of microchannel plate (MCP) technology are discussed. The development of centrifugal shearing techniques promises to reduce significantly or eliminate the characteristic distortion introduced into curved MPCs during the channel bending process. The Advanced Technology Microchannel Plate, now under development, will allow microfabrication of high performance MPCs for electronic imaging and space science applications. The Ultra-Small Pore Microchannel Plate with channel diameters as small as 5 microns has been successfully fabricated. These devices, when incorporated into image intensifier tubes, raise the limiting spatial resolution from 30-40 lp/mm to 60-80 lp/mm. Clean Plate Technology can now be applied to high aspect ratio straight-channel microchannel plates, yielding electrical performance rivaling curved MCPs.