A process of fabricating a discrete-dynode electron multiplier (DDEM) including the steps of mounting an insulator block to a conductor block, and forming a series of ion-optics geometrical structures in the conductor block, each ion-optics geometrical structure having a smallest dimension of less than 1 millimeter. The forming step may be performed by electrical discharge machining (EDM), laser cutting, and/or water jet cutting.

A secondary electron emissive layer resistant to infiltration and fouling. A barrier layer is formed by atomic layer deposition. The barrier layer may be an emissive layer and/or an interlayer. The barrier layer may form an interlayer that is a part of an electron amplifier positioned between an emissive layer and a resistive layer. The barrier layer is resistive to fluorine migration from either the emissive layer or the resistive layer.

A night vision system along with an image intensifier tube having a microchannel plate and method of forming the microchannel plate are provided. The microchannel plate comprises a plurality of spaced channels extending through the microchannel plate, wherein each channel sidewall surface near the input face of the microchannel plate comprises a series of layers formed thereon. The input face of the microchannel plate, as well as the sidewall surfaces of each channel near the input surfaces, are configured with an electron backscatter layer arranged between a contact metal layer and a secondary electron booster layer. When formed partially into the channel openings near the input face, the electron backscatter layer and overlying secondary electron booster layer are configured circumferentially around the sidewall surfaces and extend radially inward toward a central axis of each channel.

A method for creating an enhanced multipaction resistant diamond-like coating (DLC) coating with lower Secondary Electron Emission (SEE) properties is performed on an initial surface by etching a DLC coating deposited on the surface after deposition and optionally creating interlayers to enhance adhesion mechanical properties between the DLC coating and the initial surface.

Techniques produce integrated native metal oxide discrete elements which can be used to fabricate discrete dynode electron multiplier (DDEM) devices, for example by creating dynodes with a native oxide as secondary electron emissive (SEE) layer from a metal block. The metal block may comprise or consist of a metal base component, for example Al, Al alloys or BeCu, of metal oxide SEE materials Al2O3 or BeO. Growing a native oxide from these base metals, Al2O3 or BeO eliminates the need of a costly and time-consuming SEE coating on the dynode surface. Furthermore, aluminum alloys offer intrinsic dopant, in particular magnesium where its oxide provides a higher secondary electron yield than the aluminum oxide. The use of aluminum, its alloys or BeCu material block allows flexibility in design and fabrication of DDEM without an SEE coating process.

A microchannel sensor for detecting radiation and/or particles, the microchannel sensor comprising at least one sensor substrate, wherein said sensor substrate comprises a plurality of channels extending from a first side of the substrate to an opposite side of the substrate, wherein said channels are arranged along a channel axis which is tilted relative a normal axis of said substrate, and wherein said plurality of channels comprise a first set of channels with a first cross section and a second set of channels with a second cross section being different from said first cross section.

A device configured to convert or amplify a particle, the conversion or amplification being reliant on the impact of a particle on a surface of the device causing emission of one or more secondary electrons from the same surface. The device includes a carbon-based layer capable of secondary electron emission upon impact of a particle. The surface may be used to convert, for example, an ion into an electron signal, or an electron signal into an amplified electron signal, such as in conversion or amplification dynodes.

Processes for synthesizing the hexagonal polymorph of boron nitride (h-BN) produce h-BN of a grade that is highly suitable for ultraviolet (UV) field-emission lights and other UV applications.

An electron multiplier production method including a main body portion, and a channel provided in the main body portion to open at one end surface and the other end surface of the main body portion and emits secondary electrons includes a first step of preparing a main body member including the one end surface and the other end surface, a communicating hole for the channel through which the one end surface and the other end surface communicate being provided in the main body member, a second step of forming the channel by forming a deposition layer including at least a resistive layer on an outer surface of the main body member and an inner surface of the communicating hole using an atomic layer deposition method, and a third step of forming the main body portion by removing the deposition layer formed on the outer surface of the main body member.

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.