We have developed single photon counting image intensifier tubes combining position and time information read-out with at least 500x500 pixels and sub-nanosecond time resolution. This image intensifier type uses a resistive screen instead of a phosphor screen and the image charge pickup anode is placed outside the sealed tube. We present a novel delay-line anode design which allows for instance detecting simultaneously arriving pairs of photons. Due to the very low background this technique is suited for applications with very low light intensity and especially if a precise time tagging for each photon is required. We show results obtained with several anode types on a 25 mm image intensifier tube and a 40 mm open-face MCP detector and discuss the performance in neutron radiography, e.g. for homeland security, and the prospects for applications like Fluorescence Life-time Imaging Microscopy (FLIM), astronomy and X-ray polarimetry.
We have developed image intensifier tubes with delay-anode read-out for time- and position-sensitive photon
counting. The timing precision is better than 1 ns with 1000x1000 pixels position resolution and up to one megacounts/s
processing rate. Large format detectors of 40 and 75 mm active diameter with internal helical-wire delay-line anodes
have been produced and specified. A different type of 40 and 25 mm tubes with semi-conducting screen for image
charge read-out allow for an economic and robust tube design and for placing the read-out anodes outside the sealed
housing. Two types of external delay-line anodes, i.e. pick-up electrodes for the image charge, have been tested. We
present tests of the detector and anode performance. Due to the low background this technique is well suited for
applications with very low light intensity and especially if a precise time tagging for each photon is required. As an
example we present the application of scintillator read-out in time-of-flight (TOF) neutron radiography. Further
applications so far are Fluorescence Life-time Microscopy (FLIM) and Astronomy.
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