Title :
The Gain Characteristics of Microchannel Plates for X-Ray Photon Counting
Author :
Fraser, G.W. ; Pearson, J.F. ; Smith, G.C. ; Lewis, M. ; Barstow, M.A.
Author_Institution :
X-Ray Astronomy Group, Physics Department University of Leicester Leicester LE1 7RH, England
Abstract :
A theoretical and experimental study is report-ed of the gain of microchannel plate (MCP) electron multipliers under conditions of output charge satur-ation. Theoretical calculations, assuming a wall charge saturation mechanism, are used to interpret peak gain and pulse height distribution FWHM data obtained with a number of chevron MCP multipliers. A curved surface MCP intended for use with grazing incidence X-ray optics is described. The effects of an inter-plate voltage are described. Limiting pulse height FWHMs around 30% have been obtained. The properties of straight channel chevrons and single curved channel MCPs are briefly compared.
Keywords :
Astronomy; Electron emission; Electron multipliers; Gain; Microchannel; Optical pulses; Output feedback; Physics; Voltage; X-ray imaging;
Journal_Title :
Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TNS.1983.4332310
