Fast position and time sensitive read-out of image intensifiers for single photon detection

We present results on novel image intensifier tubes for single photon detection. We have adopted an image charge coupling technique that allows a read-out of image intensifiers with good imaging properties and much superior time resolution than obtainable with the standard phosphor screen read-out. Although combinations of sealed microchannel plate detector tubes with position and time sensitive anode structures have already been reported, our method has the advantage that the superficial electrode array has not to be implemented inside the tube. We couple the image charge from a high-resistive anode layer through the vacuum housing to a wedge-and-strip or delay-line pattern that can be attached from outside. We show results on single photon imaging with special intensifiers produced by Proxitronic GmbH in the visible and UV for an active diameter of 25 mm. The variability of the system, especially a version with a solar-blind W-cathode and 40 mm active diameter, should open great opportunities for detection tasks in various fields like astronomy, reconnaissance, bioluminescence, atomic physics, and material research, particularly when both good imaging and timing performance are required.