Color direct vision image intensifier

The present work delineates the principles of a direct vision color image intensifier tube. An arrangement consisting of microchannel tube in conjunction with input color filters mosaic and matched output color filters mosaic is described. It is shown that color imaging can be achieved at very low light levels with acceptable color resolution. The present work is aimed at describing the basic theoretical model for simulation and analysis of color imaging tubes including quantification and optimization of its performance. The basic model includes the major color tube components and operating parameters. namely, spectral characteristics of the RGB basic color filter's elements, its diameter and center-to-center spacing; spectral characteristic of the photocathode and phosphor; MCPs pore size, center-to-center spacing and gain; voltages and spacing between electrodes; tolerance of registration of input-output filters, etc.. For a number of technologically achievable parameters it is shown that: a). the resolution of the device, based on the Nyquist frequency, can reach 16 color (line pairs)/mm; b). the light uniformity is about 5% which is insignificant; c). realistic set of filters provides a good color transformation - compatible to the transformation in color CRT displays; d). cross-talk level in single basic color element from neighboring elements is about 6%; e). the light amplification is compatible to conventional intensifier tubes; d). the proposed configuration is not too sensitive to design parameters. It is possible to conclude that realistic configurations can produce a color direct vision image intensifier device with high resolution and good color transformation. The device simulations serve to design a workable prototype.