An apparatus for amplifying an electron signal caused by the impact of a particle with an electron emissive surface. The apparatus includes: a first electron emissive surface configured to receive an input particle and thereby emit one or more secondary electrons, a series of second and subsequent electron emissive surfaces configured to form an amplified electron signal from the one or more secondary electrons emitted by the first electron emissive surface, and one or more power supplies configured to apply bias voltage(s) to one or more of the emissive surfaces. The bias voltage(s) is sufficient to form the amplified electron signal. The apparatus is configured such that the terminal electron emissive surface(s) of the series of second and subsequent electron emissive surfaces draw a higher electrical current than that of the remainder electron emissive surface(s). The apparatus may be used as part of detector in a mass spectrometer, for example.

A scintillation apparatus design is provided which eliminates the requirement of an optical window between the scintillator and the photosensitive device. The disclosed design provides significantly improved performance with a scintillator mounted directly to the photosensitive device. Improved light coupling between the scintillator and the photosensitive device is achieved. The present disclosure improves the light transmission to the photosensitive device (PSD) by direct coupling of the photosensitive device to the scintillator. By eliminating the need for an optical window, light loss due to the glass interface caused by the optical window likewise may be eliminated. The improvement of light transmission to the PSD improves the gamma ray energy resolution. The quality of the gamma spectroscopy is improved with this design. Furthermore, providing the means and method for evacuating the internal assembly significantly improves the reliability and lifespan of the detector assembly.

A scintillation apparatus design is provided which eliminates the requirement of an optical window between the scintillator and the photosensitive device. The disclosed design provides significantly improved performance with a scintillator mounted directly to the photosensitive device. Improved light coupling between the scintillator and the photosensitive device is achieved. The present disclosure improves the light transmission to the photosensitive device (PSD) by direct coupling of the photosensitive device to the scintillator. By eliminating the need for an optical window, light loss due to the glass interface caused by the optical window likewise may be eliminated. The improvement of light transmission to the PSD improves the gamma ray energy resolution. The quality of the gamma spectroscopy is improved with this design. Furthermore, providing the means and method for evacuating the internal assembly significantly improves the reliability and lifespan of the detector assembly.

An enhanced electron amplifier structure includes a microporous substrate having a front surface and a rear surface, the microporous substrate including at least one channel extending substantially through the substrate between the front surface and the rear surface, an ion diffusion layer formed on a surface of the channel, the ion diffusion layer comprising a metal oxide, a resistive coating layer formed on the first ion diffusion layer, an emissive coating layer formed on the resistive coating layer, and an optional ion feedback layer formed on the front surface of the structure. The emissive coating produces a secondary electron emission responsive to an interaction with a particle received by the channel. The ion diffusion layer, the resistive coating layer, the emissive coating layer, and the ion feedback layer are independently deposited via chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition.

An enhanced electron amplifier structure includes a microporous substrate having a front surface and a rear surface, the microporous substrate including at least one channel extending substantially through the substrate between the front surface and the rear surface, an ion diffusion layer formed on a surface of the channel, the ion diffusion layer comprising a metal oxide, a resistive coating layer formed on the first ion diffusion layer, an emissive coating layer formed on the resistive coating layer, and an optional ion feedback layer formed on the front surface of the structure. The emissive coating produces a secondary electron emission responsive to an interaction with a particle received by the channel. The ion diffusion layer, the resistive coating layer, the emissive coating layer, and the ion feedback layer are independently deposited via chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition.

A dual-spectrum photocathode capable of emitting photo-electrons into a first vacuum space includes a first photodetector array formed using a first optoelectronic material that generates photo-electrons responsive to incident electromagnetic energy in a first spectral band. The dual-spectrum photocathode also includes a second photodetector array formed using a second optoelectronic material that generates photo-electrons responsive to incident electromagnetic energy in a second spectral band that is different from the first spectral band. The first spectral band may include the visible electromagnetic spectrum between 390 nanometers and 700 nanometers and the second spectral band may include the short-wave infrared (SWIR) electromagnetic spectrum above 900 nanometers.

A dual-spectrum photocathode capable of emitting photo-electrons into a first vacuum space includes a first photodetector array formed using a first optoelectronic material that generates photo-electrons responsive to incident electromagnetic energy in a first spectral band. The dual-spectrum photocathode also includes a second photodetector array formed using a second optoelectronic material that generates photo-electrons responsive to incident electromagnetic energy in a second spectral band that is different from the first spectral band. The first spectral band may include the visible electromagnetic spectrum between 390 nanometers and 700 nanometers and the second spectral band may include the short-wave infrared (SWIR) electromagnetic spectrum above 900 nanometers.

A scintillation apparatus design is provided which eliminates the requirement of an optical window between the scintillator and the photosensitive device. The disclosed design provides significantly improved performance with a scintillator mounted directly to the photosensitive device. Improved light coupling between the scintillator and the photosensitive device is achieved. The present disclosure improves the light transmission to the photosensitive device (PSD) by direct coupling of the photosensitive device to the scintillator. By eliminating the need for an optical window, light loss due to the glass interface caused by the optical window likewise may be eliminated. The improvement of light transmission to the PSD improves the gamma ray energy resolution. The quality of the gamma spectroscopy is improved with this design. Furthermore, providing the means and method for evacuating the internal assembly significantly improves the reliability and lifespan of the detector assembly.

A scintillation apparatus design is provided which eliminates the requirement of an optical window between the scintillator and the photosensitive device. The disclosed design provides significantly improved performance with a scintillator mounted directly to the photosensitive device. Improved light coupling between the scintillator and the photosensitive device is achieved. The present disclosure improves the light transmission to the photosensitive device (PSD) by direct coupling of the photosensitive device to the scintillator. By eliminating the need for an optical window, light loss due to the glass interface caused by the optical window likewise may be eliminated. The improvement of light transmission to the PSD improves the gamma ray energy resolution. The quality of the gamma spectroscopy is improved with this design. Furthermore, providing the means and method for evacuating the internal assembly significantly improves the reliability and lifespan of the detector assembly.

An apparatus for amplifying an electron signal caused by the impact of a particle with an electron emissive surface. The apparatus includes: a first electron emissive surface configured to receive an input particle and thereby emit one or more secondary electrons, a series of second and subsequent electron emissive surfaces configured to form an amplified electron signal from the one or more secondary electrons emitted by the first electron emissive surface, and one or more power supplies configured to apply bias voltage(s) to one or more of the emissive surfaces. The bias voltage(s) is sufficient to form the amplified electron signal. The apparatus is configured such that the terminal electron emissive surface(s) of the series of second and subsequent electron emissive surfaces draw a higher electrical current than that of the remainder electron emissive surface(s). The apparatus may be used as part of detector in a mass spectrometer, for example.