Method and system for detecting radiation incorporating a hardened photocathode

Abstract

A method for detecting radiation comprising nine steps is disclosed. Step one, forming a detector having a photocathode (,) with a protective layer (,) of cesium, oxygen and fluorine; a microchannel plate (MCP) (,); and an electron receiver (,). Step two, receiving radiation at the photocathode (,). Step three, photocathode (,) discharging electrons (,) in response to the received photons. Step four, accelerating discharged electrons (,) from the photocathode (,) to the input face (,) of the microchannel plate (,). Step five, receiving the electrons (,) at the input face (,) of the microchannel plate (,). Step six, generating a cascade of secondary emission electrons (,) in the microchannel plate (,) in response to the received electrons (,). Step seven, emitting the secondary emission electrons (,) from the output face (,) of the microchannel plate (,). Step eight, receiving secondary emission electrons (,) at the electron receiver (,). Step nine, producing an output characteristic of the secondary emission electrons (,). A device for detecting radiation is disclosed. The device comprises a photocathode (,), a microchannel plate (,) and an electron receiver (,). The photocathode (,) is operable to receive radiation on an input side (,) and to discharge electrons (,) from its output side (,) in response. The output side (,) of the photocathode (,) has a protective layer (,) comprising cesium, oxygen and fluorine. The microchannel plate (,) serves to receive electrons (,) on its input face (,) from the photocathode (,), to produce a cascade of secondary emission electrons (,) and to discharge those electrons (,) from its output face (,). The electron receiver (,) is operable to receive secondary emissions electrons (,) from the microchannel plate (,) and to produce an output characteristic of those electrons (,).