H01J2231/50015

ELECTRO-OPTICAL SEMI-TRANSPARENT PHOTONIC UP-CONVERTER
20220268697 · 2022-08-25 ·

A night vision optical device includes an underlying device configured to be sensitive to light in a first spectrum, and to provide output light based on absorbing light in the first spectrum. The night vision optical device further includes a stacked device overlapping the underlying device. The stacked device includes one or more openings formed in the underlying device to form one or more transparent regions which are transparent to the light in the first spectrum to allow light in the first spectrum to pass through to the underlying device. The stacked device is sensitive to light in a second spectrum. The stacked device outputs light in the first spectrum to the underlying device as a result of absorbing light in the second spectrum. Thus, the underlying device outputs light based both on light passing through the transparent regions and on light output by the stacked device.

Wafer scale image intensifier

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.

Image intensifier bloom mitigation

Image intensifiers may include a photocathode that emits photoelectrons in proportion to the rate photons impact the photocathode. The photoelectrons are multiplied using a microchannel plate that includes a plurality of microchannels. Photoelectrons are scattered by the microchannel plate when the photoelectrons strike the surface of the microchannel plate rather than enter one of the microchannels. Electron scatter within an image intensifier results in a halo or bloom around bright or luminous objects. Halo or bloom may be minimized by reducing the electron scatter within the image intensifier. Deposition of an anti-scattering layer on the surface of the microchannel plate within the image intensifier can absorb photoelectrons that fail to enter a microchannel and may thus reduce the incidence of halo or bloom.

IMAGE INTENSIFIER BLOOM MITIGATION

Image intensifiers may include a photocathode that emits photoelectrons in proportion to the rate photons impact the photocathode. The photoelectrons are multiplied using a microchannel plate that includes a plurality of microchannels. Photoelectrons are scattered by the microchannel plate when the photoelectrons strike the surface of the microchannel plate rather than enter one of the microchannels. Electron scatter within an image intensifier results in a halo or bloom around bright or luminous objects. Halo or bloom may be minimized by reducing the electron scatter within the image intensifier. Deposition of an anti-scattering layer on the surface of the microchannel plate within the image intensifier can absorb photoelectrons that fail to enter a microchannel and may thus reduce the incidence of halo or bloom.