Disclosed herein is a photomultiplier comprising: an electron ejector; a detector; a substrate; and a first electrode in the substrate; a second electrode in the substrate; a third electrode in the substrate; wherein each of the first, second and third electrodes comprises a flat or curved surface at an angle to a normal direction of the substrate; wherein each of the first, second and third electrodes comprises a first end and a second end, the first end being closer to the electron ejector than the second end; wherein the first, second and third electrodes are spatially arranged such that the second ends of the first, second and third electrode are on a same plane, or such that a plane the second ends of the first and third electrodes are on crosses the second electrode.

The invention provides a gain device having a plurality of channels having a polygonal shape with four or more sides. The invention also provides a method for producing microchannel plates (MCPs) having the steps of providing a pre-polymer; and directing a laser over the pre-polymer into a pre-determined pattern. Also provided is method for efficiently 3D printing an object.

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 method of manufacturing a multi-layer image intensifier wafer includes fabricating first and second glass wafers, each having an array of cavities that extend between respective openings in first and second surfaces of the respective glass wafer; doping a semiconductor wafer to generate a plurality of electrons for each electron that impinges a first surface of the semiconductor wafer and to direct the plurality of electrons to a second surface of the semiconductor wafer, bonding a photo-cathode wafer to the first glass wafer; bonding the semiconductor wafer between the first and second glass wafers, and bonding the second glass wafer between the semiconductor wafer and an anode wafer (e.g., a phosphor screen or other electron detector). A section of the multi-layer image intensifier wafer may be sliced and evacuated to provide a multi-layer image intensifier.

A source for generating ionizing radiation and in particular x-rays, to an assembly includes a plurality of sources and to a process for producing the source. The source for generating ionizing radiation comprises: a vacuum chamber; a cathode that is able to emit an electron beam into the vacuum chamber; an anode that receives the electron beam and that comprises a target that is able to generate ionizing radiation from the energy received from the electron beam; and an electrode that is placed in the vicinity of the cathode and forming a wehnelt. The electrode is formed from a conductive surface adhering to a concave face of a dielectric.

A source for generating ionizing radiation and in particular x-rays, to an assembly includes a plurality of sources and to a process for producing the source. The source for generating ionizing radiation comprises: a vacuum chamber; a cathode that is able to emit an electron beam into the vacuum chamber; an anode that receives the electron beam and that comprises a target that is able to generate ionizing radiation from the energy received from the electron beam; and an electrode that is placed in the vicinity of the cathode and forming a wehnelt. The electrode is formed from a conductive surface adhering to a concave face of a dielectric.

A solar generator can include a photon-enhanced thermionic emission generator with a cathode to receive solar radiation. The photon-enhanced thermionic emission generator can include an anode that in conjunction with the cathode generates a first current and waste heat from the solar radiation. A thermoelectric generator can be thermally coupled to the anode and can convert the waste heat from the anode into a second current. A circuit can connect to the photon-enhanced thermionic emission generator and to the thermoelectric generator and can combine the first and the second currents into an output current.

A solar generator can include a photon-enhanced thermionic emission generator with a cathode to receive solar radiation. The photon-enhanced thermionic emission generator can include an anode that in conjunction with the cathode generates a first current and waste heat from the solar radiation. A thermoelectric generator can be thermally coupled to the anode and can convert the waste heat from the anode into a second current. A circuit can connect to the photon-enhanced thermionic emission generator and to the thermoelectric generator and can combine the first and the second currents into an output current.

Methods and systems for fabricating a film, such as, for example, a photocathode, having a tailored band structure and thin-film components that can be tailored for specific applications, such as, for example photocathode having a high quantum efficiency, and simple components fabricated by those methods.