Litton Systems, Inc.

L3harris Technologies, Inc.

Jay Scott Tucker

Michael Jude Iosue

Miguel M Saldana

Niels F Jacksen

Jon D Burnsed

James A LeBeau

A nightvision system includes an underlying device that provides output light in a first spectrum. A transparent optical device transmits light in the first spectrum from the underlying device through the transparent optical device. The transparent optical device includes an active area of a semiconductor chip. The active area includes active elements that cause the underlying device to detect light from the underlying device and transparent regions formed in the active area which are transparent to the light in the first spectrum to allow light in the first spectrum to pass through from the underlying device to a user. An image processor processes images produced using light detected by the first plurality of active elements. An autofocus mechanism coupled to the image processor focuses the input light into the underlying device based on image processing performed by the image processor.

Semi-transparent detector array for auto-focused nightvision systems

Mating faces of a microchannel plate (MCP) () and a multi-layer ceramic body () unit are deposited with a thin film having protuberances () using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion at a desired temperatures and pressure. The metallized MCP () and multi-layer ceramic body () unit are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture (F) that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond at a desired elevated temperature. The bonding fixture (F) is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber (V) to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP () and the multi-layer ceramic body unit ().

Bonding methods for microchannel plates

A faceplate (F) for an image intensifier tube () for reducing veiling glare begins as a blank () of optical material of a desired glass composition having a shape that conforms substantially to a configuration of the faceplate (F) to be produced. An extraneous removable aperture step portion () is formed on the glass blank (). The glass blank is blackened () and the aperture step portion () is removed creating a desired transmissive aperture () through the glass blank ().

Reduced veiling glare cathode window

A microchannel plate (MCP) () and a dielectric insulator () are deposited with a thin film () using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion. The metallized MCP () and dielectric insulator () are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture () that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond. The bonding fixture () is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP () and the dielectric insulator ().

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Chandler, AZ, United States of America

Jay Scott Tucker