Improvement of microchannel plate technology for the new generation of image converters

An investigation is made of the gas content, porous structure formation, an d characteristics of constant-resistance reduction over a wide range of tem perature, and also the influence of the reduction regimes, additional heat thermal treatment, and the gaseous medium on the thermal shrinkage of micro channel plates. An empirical formula is obtained to calculate the duration of the constant-resistance reduction. It is shown that reduction of the mic rochannel plates is accompanied by bulk hydroxylation followed by the forma tion of cluster water whilst dehydroxylation and removal of the capillary w ater exhibits particular characteristics and different temperature regimes. The maximum permissible shrinkage of the microchannel plates after reducti on is determined (C) 2000 The Optical Society of America. [S1070-9762(00)01 410-X].