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`NIGHT VISION
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`How an Image Intensifier Tube Works
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`An image intensifier (I2) tube is a device that intensifies (or amplifies) low light level images to levels that can be seen with the human eye or
`detected by digital image sensors. All modern I2 tubes consist of three main components, a photocathode, a Microchannel Plate (MCP) and a
`phosphor screen. The characteristics of each component, as well as the careful consideration of any available options, will contribute to the
`overall quality of the resulting image.
`
`Image Intensifier Tubes collect the existing ambient light through the objective lens of the night vision device. The light may originate from
`natural sources, such as starlight or moonlight, or from artificial sources such as streetlights or infrared illuminators. The low level of incoming
`light, which consists of photons, enters the tube through its input window and strikes the photocathode. The photocathode is a very thin light
`sensitive layer deposited on the inside of the I2 input window that converts the photons into electrons and releases them into the vacuum of the
`tube. All modern I2 tubes operate under a vacuum of about 10-9 to 10-10 torrs, which is essential to protect the photocathode from oxidation
`and rapid destruction. Once released by the photocathode, these photo-electrons are accelerated and focused by a high electrical field towards
`the MCP.
`The MCP is a thin glass disc, less than a half a millimeter thick, which contains millions of small channels. When an electron coming from the
`photocathode strikes the inner wall of one channel, several secondary electrons are generated by the impact. Each of these secondary
`electrons will in turn be accelerated within the MCP by another high electrical field, once again striking the inner wall of the channel, and
`generating even more secondary electrons. This process is repeated along the depth of the MCP channels. For each electron that enters the
`MCP, approximately one thousand electrons are generated and subsequently accelerated from the output of the MCP by a third electrical field
`towards the phosphor screen.
`
`The phosphor screen is a thin phosphorous light emitting layer deposited on the inside of the output window of the intensifier tube (usually fiber
`optics) which converts the electrons back into photons. When the multiplied flow of electrons out of the MCP strike that layer, tens of thousands
`of photons will be generated for every single photon that was initially converted by the photocathode. This entire multistage process creates an
`“intensified” image, much brighter than the original image, which can subsequently be seen by the human eye.
`
`The figure below demonstrates the path of one electron multiplying through one of the millions of channels in the MCP.
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`http://www.photonis.com/en/content/102-nightvision-how-it-works
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`7/21/2015
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`Magna 2025
`TRW v. Magna
`IPR2015-00436
`
`
`
`How an Image Intensifier Tube Works - PHOTONIS
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`Page 2 of 2
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`With each bounce the electron multiplies and accelerates.
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`http://www.photonis.com/en/content/102-nightvision-how-it-works
`
`7/21/2015
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