Large Format X-ray Pinhole Camera

Summary form only given. National Security Technologies, LLC has successfully implemented many scientific and engineering innovations in the Large-Format Pinhole Camera (LFPHC), which have dramatically increased the detection sensitivity and reliability of the camera in exotic locations, such as the Sandia National Laboratories Z-facility. The LFPHC uses 40 x 76 mm microchannel plates that provide larger magnification capabilities for X-ray imaging. Improvements of the LFPHC have been demonstrated in its fielding at Z, where high-quality images were recorded. A major improvement was the development of a new, user-friendly LFPHC camera back that would tolerate high levels of radiation, electromagnetic interference, and mechanical shock. Key modifications resulted in improved detection sensitivity-, spatial resolution, uniformity along the microchannel plate strip, and stability of the interframe timing and delay. Design considerations and improvements are discussed.