Nanosecond image-shuttering studies at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Experimental results comparing gated imaging capabilities of proximity-focused microchannel-plate intensifiers and electrostatically-focused silicon-intensified-target vidicons are presented. Previous response data obtained from several standard and modified versions of both image sensors are summarized. Current efforts on: (1) sector gating of segmented photocathodes; (2) pre-pulsing of photocathodes with infrared light to increase conductivity; and (3) gate pulse injection techniques are discussed. Segmented photocathodes increased gating speed by simultaneous turn-on individual sectors whereas preliminary analyses indicate no improvements from infrared illumination.