Patent ID: 7408142
Filing Date: 2008-08-05
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A microchannel amplifier comprising: a) an insulating substrate that defines at least one microchannel pore through the substrate from an input surface to an output surface; b) a conductive layer that is formed on an outer surface of the at least one microchannel pore, the conductive layer having a non-uniform resistance as a function of distance through the at least one microchannel pore, the non-uniform resistance being selected to simulate saturation by reducing gain as a function of input current and bias voltage compared with uniform a resistance; and c) a first and a second electrode that are deposited on a respective one of the input and the output surfaces of the insulating substrate, the microchannel amplifier amplifying emissions propagating through the at least one microchannel pore when the first and second electrodes are biased.