Intensified charge coupled image sensor having universal header assembly

Abstract

An intensified charge coupled image sensor comprises an inverter image intensifier tube having an evacuated envelope with a longitudinally extending optical axis. The sensor has a photoemissive cathode and a charge coupled device spaced from the cathode. The charge coupled device includes an A register, a B register, a C register and a plurality of electrodes disposed on a surface thereof. The charge coupled device is resiliently held by a holder plate which has an imaging aperture therethrough. In the preferred embodiment, the imaging aperture is centered about the optical axis and permits electron emission from the cathode to impinge upon at least a portion of the A and B register. Other imaging aperture configurations limit electron impingement to a single column of pixels in the A and B registers and to the A register only. A universal header having a header aperture with a center slightly displaced in at least one dimension from the optical axis of the sensor accommodates a holder plate having any one of the aforementioned imaging aperture configurations. A plurality of electrical contact pads are disposed on one surface of the header. The number of contact pads exceeds the number of electrodes required for the operation of the charge coupled device with any one particular imaging aperture; however, the header has a sufficient number of contact pads to accommodate any of the above-mentioned imaging aperture configurations.