High Resolution Ceramic Microchannel Plates

"National missile defense systems require a wide variety of sensor technologies that span the whole electromagnetic spectrum. Systems under development will need sensors for surveillance, launch detection, target tracking and target discrimination.Microchannel plates (MCP) are integral components of many advanced detectors from X-ray to near IR. Conventional glass-fiber-based MCPs have a number of inherent limitations, and opportunities for increasing their performance are leveling off. Thisproposal seeks support for the development of novel ceramic microchannel plates with high resolution, high open area ratio, and low noise. The proposed technology is based on the high aspect ratio micromachining of ceramics and atomic layer channelmodification, and has a potential to enable detector systems with performance and lifetime unavailable before. During the Phase I project, in collaboration with our partners, we will produce and test MCP prototypes, and develop a clear path for productdevelopment efforts in support of advanced "eyes and ears" systems of the missile defense. The proposed technology has the potential to overcome the limitations of glass-fiber MCPs and provide solutions for a new generation of surveillance sensors andimage intensifiers for multiple military and commercial use. Beyond the advantages of high resolution and flexible channel modification, our technology could potentially provide mechanical robustness, high tempe