Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.

Exelis Inc.

Nelson Christopher DeVoe

Thomas Theodore Mabry

Arlynn Walter Smith

William Allen Smith

Warren David Vrescak

Steven David Rosine

Steve David Rosine

The present invention provides a mega-boule for use in fabricating microchannel plates (MCPs). The mega-boule includes a cross-sectional surface having at least first, second and third areas, each area occupying a distinct portion of the cross-sectional surface. The first and second areas include a plurality of optical fibers, transversely oriented to the cross-sectional surface, each optical fiber having a cladding formed of non-etchable material and a core formed of etchable material. The third area is disposed interstitially between and surrounding the first and second areas, and includes non-etchable material.

Device and method for fabrication of microchannel plates using a mega-boule wafer

The invention includes a microchannel plate for an image intensifier tube, in which the plate has multiple microchannels extending in a longitudinal dimension between transverse surfaces of the plate. Each microchannel includes a first portion forming a first opening at an end proximate a surface of the plate. The first portion includes a wall extending longitudinally from the surface and terminating in a substantially similar first opening at a distal end. The microchannel also includes a second portion of the wall, extending longitudinally from the first opening at the distal end and tapering toward a second opening at a further distal end. The first opening at the proximate end has a diameter that is substantially similar to a diameter of the first opening at the distal end. The first opening is also wider than the second opening.

Microchannel plate having microchannels with deep funneled and/or step funneled openings and method of manufacturing same

There is disclosed a three draw technique for drawing optical fibers into various cross-sectional shapes. The process employs a glass tube and rod which are fed into a heated furnace. The viscosity of the glass decreases and the glass flows. The glass is pulled or drawn out of the furnace at a different rate than it is fed into the furnace. The resultant drawn fibers are stacked and the process is repeated two more times. By employing three drawing steps one can achieve extremely small fiber faces. The final draw step uses a hexagonal cross-section preform and fibers. From the first drawn fibers three geometrical shapes can be assembled and finally drawn into hexagonal shapes with round fibers which are triangles, rhombohedrials and half hex or trapezoidal shapes. These shapes maintain the hexagonal closely packed space providing the highest density per cross-section. With this high density there is less glass flowing to fill voids thereby reducing distortion within the fabricated MCP. The final reduction ratio of the starting material to the finished device is the product of each reduction ratio of the individual draw steps.

Microchannel plates (MCPs) having micron and submicron apertures

Microchannel plates (MCPS) having micron and submicron apertures

Growing community of inventors

Roanoke, VA, United States of America

Nelson Christopher DeVoe