SBIR-STTR Award

We propose to develop a tube intensifier that has a resolution appropriate to 1024x1024 and 2048x2048 pixel charge coupled detectors. This intensifler will be made possible by the development of a novel-design microchannel plate. The mlcrochannels are to be delineated with microlithographic pal-lerning of an insulating substrate. The microchannels are then mlcropabricated by the use of anisotropic etching. Such microchannel plates will have thelr channels spaced regularly. They can be stacked in Z or Chevron configurations without any loss of image resolution. The same technology will be applicable to the manupacture of mlcrochannel arrays with optimal channel sizes and aspect ratios. These microchannel arrays can be employed as resolution-conserving output buffers between the last mlcrochannel and the phosphor. The research will determine the possible minimum feature slze and aspect ratios of other microchannels. The rest of the research export will concentrate on estimating the spatial resolution of an image intensifler tube manufactured with the novel microchannel plates. Anticipated benefits/potential commercial application - high-resolution image intensifiers for astronomy, remote satellite sensing, and robotic deiwection.