Channel Electron Multipliers: Properties, Development and Applications

The object of this paper is to acquaint high energy physicists with the properties and numerous applications of microchannel plates as well as with the resulting improvements of particle detectors. Properties of channel electron multipliers and of microchannel plates are described. We review and discuss the major applications of these devices, with emphasis on high performance photomultipliers and on electronic imaging at high speeds and low light levels.