Signal And Noise Properties Of Proximity Focused Image Tubes

Image intensifier tubes amplify an input photon image but, at the same time, reduce its signal to noise ratio due to quantum losses and additive noise. Ouantum losses occur at the photocathode, microchannel plate, and phosphor screen. Additive noise examples are scattered light, photocathode dark emission, and MCP self emission. Uncorrected fixed patterns associated with the MCP fiber optic faceplates plus MCP saturation properties set upper limits on output SNR.