Electron Multiplier with Adjustable Spacer Gap for Gain and Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electron multipliers face challenges in easily obtaining desired characteristics such as gain and time characteristics for various applications, requiring adjustments that are not efficiently addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
An electron multiplier design featuring laminated micro-channel plates with an annular input-side electrode plate and a conductive spacer layer creating a gap between the channel portions, allowing for adjustable gain and time characteristics by varying the spacer layer thickness, and incorporating an annular output-side electrode plate for improved integration and deflection correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gap between micro-channel plates is increased to increase gain, then electron multiplication gain is improved, but time characteristics deteriorate due to increased electron travel distance variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gap between micro-channel plates adjustable rather than fixed. The spacer layer thickness can be modified to dynamically change the gap size, allowing optimization between gain and time characteristics based on specific application requirements. This transforms a static structure into a tunable system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the gap size by adjusting the spacer layer thickness. This parameter change directly controls the electron travel distance and enables tuning of the trade-off between gain (improved with larger gap) and time characteristics (improved with smaller gap).
2Ease of manufacture
If micro-channel plates are laminated without integration features, then manufacturing is simple, but ease of operation and integration into electronic devices is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the micro-channel plates with electrode plates into a single integrated assembly. The electrode plates are positioned in contact with the marginal portions of the micro-channel plates, combining multiple functional components (multiplication and electrode functions) into one integrated unit that is easier to handle and install.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly serves multiple functions: the micro-channel plates provide electron multiplication while the integrated electrode plates provide both electrical function and mechanical support for the laminated structure. This multi-functional design simplifies integration into electronic devices.
3Device complexity
If micro-channel plates are bonded directly without spacer layer, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision is compromised due to adhesive flow into channel portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bonding interface by introducing a spacer layer between the micro-channel plates. This spacer layer acts as a barrier that divides the bonding process into distinct regions: the spacer layer contact area and the channel portion area, preventing adhesive contamination while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer layer serves as an intermediary element between the micro-channel plates during bonding. It prevents direct contact between adhesive and channel portions, acting as a protective mediator that ensures manufacturing precision without significantly complicating the overall structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances electron multiplication gain while improving time characteristics, enabling easy adjustment of characteristics according to specific application needs and facilitating integration into electronic devices by correcting deflection and preventing adhesive flow into channel portions.
Implementation Method 1
by making charged particles such as electrons or ions incident into the channels of a micro-channel plate applied with high voltage, and making the charged particles repeatedly collide with sidewalls in the channels so as to emit secondary electrons, incident electrons can be multiplied
Implementation Method 2
because the marginal portion of the micro-channel plate can be supported by the annular input-side electrode plate, deflection of the micro-channel plates can be corrected
Implementation Method 3
multiplied electrons that are emitted from one of the micro-channel plates spread wide in the gap to be made incident into the other micro-channel plate, thus this allows the multiplied electrons to enter many channels of the other micro-channel plate
Data Source
AI summary
An electron multiplier that can easily obtain characteristics according to a purpose is provided. By bonding a marginal portion 23 of an MCP 2 and a marginal portion 33 of an MCP 3 to each other via a conductive spacer layer 7, a gap 12 is formed between channel portions 22, 32. Therefore, when the electron multiplier is used for a purpose that requires a particularly high gain, by adjusting the thickness of the spacer layer 7, the gain can be increased by increasing the gap 12. In addition, when the electron multiplier is used for a purpose that requires an increase in gain as well as time characteristics, by adjusting the thickness of the spacer layer 7, the size of the gap 12 can be adjusted so that desired characteristics are obtained. Consequently, by only adjusting the thickness of the spacer layer 7, characteristics according to the purpose can be easily obtained.