Performance And Applications Of An Intensified Linear Self-Scanned Array Instrument

R. E. Blank; C. B. Johnson

doi:10.1117/12.959930

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21 July 1981 Performance And Applications Of An Intensified Linear Self-Scanned Array Instrument

R. E. Blank, C. B. Johnson

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Proceedings Volume 0268, Imaging Spectroscopy I; (1981) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.959930
Event: 1981 Los Angeles Technical Symposium, 1980, Los Angeles, United States

Abstract

Linear and area arrays are being used increasingly in spectroscopic, astronomical, and military applications. The unaided array is a powerful detector by itself, but when coupled to an image intensifier tube its spectral range and sensitivity can be greatly extended. We have constructed several types of intensified linear self-scanned array instruments which include various image intensifiers, demountable linear photodiode array assemblies, power supplies, readout electronics, and controls. For example, the use of a high gain tube permits operation in the photon counting mode for astronomical and low-light-level spectroscopic applications. The tubes can be electronically gated to suppress unwanted background or to isolate the main burst from a pulsed radiation source. Instruments having windowless tubes can now be provided to extend the spectral range far into the vacuum-UV region. The intensified array can provide spectroscopic information rapidly and in a form suitable for a computer. In our prototype instruments, photons from a phosphor within the tube are coupled from the tube module to an external array module with fiberoptic coupling. It is also possible to generate the signal using electron bombardment of a specially prepared array mounted within the tube (self-scanned Digicon), and the relative merits of the two approaches will be briefly discussed.

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R. E. Blank and C. B. Johnson "Performance And Applications Of An Intensified Linear Self-Scanned Array Instrument", Proc. SPIE 0268, Imaging Spectroscopy I, (21 July 1981); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.959930

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