Multilayer anode with orthogonal serpentine delay lines for high-spatial-resolution readout of microchannel plate detectors

We have designed, built, and tested the first successful imaging microchannel-plate (MCP) detector that uses two orthogonal, printed circuit, serpentine delay lines in a three-dimensional architecture. Laser-ablation machining is used to cut slots that allow delay lines in two layers parallel to the MCP to sample and read out x and y image positions. Previous anodes that use delay-line timing to read out both dimensions of an image employ a wire-would anode. The goal of this readout is to provide as many picture elements (pixels) as possible in two dimensions, with high temporal resolution, high throughput, high dynamic range, and good spatial linearity. This detector achieves this goal with off-the-shelf electronics and is robust for space flight. The full width half maximum spatial resolution is 32 micrometers at the center of the detector and is typically < 35 micrometers throughout the detector. The rms linearity is 40 micrometers in each readout dimension, after applying only radial corrections for fringe field effects near the perimeter, and < 20 micrometers after applying additional simple (1- dimensional) corrections. We discuss fabrication techniques.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.