Patent ID: 7129464

Claim:
A low-photon flux image-intensifier, comprising: a gallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP) photocathode for converting input photons into electrons for subsequent amplification; a cooler thermally coupled to the photocathode and providing for cooling of the photocathode during operation to a temperature below zero degrees Centigrade; and a dual microchannel plate (MCP) connected to receive electrons converted from photons by the photocathode, and providing an amplified beam of electrons at its output; and a phosphor faceplate positioned to receive said amplified beams of electrons from the MCP and to convert them into visible light for imaging by a camera; wherein the dual MCP includes first and second stages that have channels oppositely tilted away from the straight-line path between the photocathode and the phosphor faceplate, such that scintillation events are reduced in an output image.