Features
Range of active diameter sizes
18 mm, 25 mm, 40 mm, 75 mm & 150 mm - the world’s largest image intensifier
Range of MCP options
single, chevron or z-stack
Wide choice of spectral response
across X-ray, EUV, UV, Solar Blind, Visible and NIR
Fast gating
allows for optical shuttering with gating to 2 ns
Capability/Adaptability
compact in size and ideal for use in high magnetic field environments
Customised
for specific applications and effortless integration
Applications
- Bioluminescence
- Corona imaging
- Fluorescence lifetime imaging
- High speed imaging
- Low light level imaging
- Missile warning systems
- Photon counting
- Combustion imaging
- Space science
- Spectroscopy
- Plasma physics
- Time resolved imaging
Overview
Our Image Intensifiers provide the highest performance in terms of resolution, speed of response and in-service reliability to deliver photonic measurements for world-class scientific research.
Photek Image Intensifiers are available in a wide range of sizes and can be supplied with integral high voltage power supplies and ultra-high speed gate units customised to meet the requirements of specific applications.
A range of photocathodes and input window materials enables a wide choice of spectral responses to suit most applications.
The standard fibre optic output ensures a defined output focal plane and allows efficient coupling to a variety of image sensors. A range of MCP configurations satisfies all gain requirements.
Range
The table below outlines the Part Number format for our standard product range. To talk further about these products, or bespoke solutions for your application, then please Contact us.
Example: MCP125/Q/S20/P43/IFO
is a 25mm diameter single MCP image intensifier, with a
fused silica input window, S20 photocathode, and P43
phosphor, on a fibre optic output window
TYPE | MCP | Size | Input | Photocathode | Phosphor | Output |
MCP | 1 | 18 | F (Fibre) | SB (Solar Blind) | P43 | IFO (Fibre Optic) |
2 | 25 | Q (Fused Silica) | BI (Bialkali) | P46 | G (Glass) | |
3 | 40 | G (Glass) | S20B | P47 | ITA (Fibre Taper) | |
75 | M (MgF2) | S20 | ||||
150 | S (Sapphire) | S25 |
Other photocathodes available upon request.
Specifications
Photocathode | Spectral Range (nm) | Peak Wavelength (nm) | Quantum | Photon Gain (ph/ph) | EBI ph/cm2s lux
| ||
S20 | 175 – 800 | 400 | 21 | 1 MCP 2 MCP | 1 x 104 2 x 106 | 2000 | 2 x 10 -7 |
S20B | 175 – 800 | 260 | 30 | 1 MCP 2 MCP | 2 x 104 4 x 106 | 5000 | 2 x 10 -7 |
Bialkali | 175 – 700 | 350 | 21 | 1 MCP 2 MCP | 1 x 104 3 x 106 | 50 | 2 x 10 -7 |
S25 | 175 – 900 | 450 | 16 | 1 MCP 2 MCP | 1 x 104 2 x 106 | 20,000 | 2 x 10 -7 |
Solar Blind | 175 – 340 | 270 | 24 | 1 MCP 2 MCP | 2 x 104 3 x 106 | 5 | n/a |
Diameter (mm) | Active area (cm2) | Typical Limiting Resolution (Ip/mm) Single MCP Dual MCP | |
18 | 2.54 | 50 | 25 |
25 | 4.91 | 45 | 23 |
40 | 12.6 | 33 | 20 |
75 | 44.2 | 16 | 14 |
150 | 177 | 10 | 6 |
Gating Options | Min Gate Width |
No Gating | N/A |
Standard | > 50 ns, < 200 ns |
Fast | 3 ns |
Photocathode Response
Documentation
Also Consider
Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Low-light and ultra-fast imaging, including single-photon detection. Typical uses include time-resolved fluorescence, combustion and plasma imaging, scintillation imaging, and ultraviolet (UV) imaging in combination with CCD/CMOS or sCMOS cameras.
Yes. Intensifiers can be lens or fibre-optic coupled to most CCD/CMOS/sCMOS sensors. We can include adapters and lens mounts as required. Photek’s Intelligent Lens Coupled Intensifier (ILCI) is an intensified attachment with integrated electronics that can be coupled directly to your existing camera.
Yes. Intensifiers with dual (chevron) or even triple (z-stack) MCPs provide single-photon sensitivity with high gain and excellent timing, enabling single photon and time-gated imaging.
Nanosecond gating is achievable with appropriate drivers. Gating modules such as Photek’s GM300-3N enable gating windows as low as < 3 ns and high repetition rates.
Options cover UV to NIR (e.g., solar-blind UV, bialkali, S20, S25). We help match photocathode Quantum Efficiency (QE) and window material to your wavelength(s) of interest.
Multiple phosphors are available to balance resolution, decay time, and brightness. Fast phosphors such as P46 and P47 suit high frame-rate/time-gated imaging, whereas slower, brighter types like P43 maximise efficiency.
Standard formats include 18, 25, 40 and 75 mm diameters, with custom options available. Input window, gain, and output coupling type can be considered for specific applications.
MCP and photocathode lifetime depend on the operating gain and total extracted charge. Photek can recommend optimal parameters to optimise lifetime, and extended lifetime MCP options are also available.
Photek intensifiers are field-proven in aerospace and space missions, with high resistance to shocks/vibration, extreme temperatures, and radiation background. In-house environmental testing can be offered.
Yes. We supply fully integrated detection and imaging solutions (including intensifier, CMOS/CCD sensor, HV/gating electronics, and control), plus custom mechanics where required and software integration.
