Novel Ceramic Microchannel Plates for Biomedical Imaging

描述(由申请人提供)： 生物医学成像，如荧光显微镜和放射自显影，不断提高成像探测器的灵敏度和空间和时间分辨率的门槛。许多用于生物医学成像的先进探测器，包括增强型CCD相机，利用固态电子倍增器微通道板(MCP)来增强微弱图像。与其他检测概念相比，MCP通常提供了灵敏度、空间分辨率和时间分辨率的最佳组合。然而，传统玻璃MCP技术的固有局限性阻碍了成像探测器性价比的进一步提高。 在这个项目中，我们建议开发一种从微机械氧化铝陶瓷制备MCPs的替代方法。这种材料独特的纳米级形貌使其能够进行高纵横比的微加工，并为定制其特性提供了机会。在第一阶段，我们的目标是论证陶瓷MCP的可行性，这些MCP具有偏置沟道、高分辨率、高开放面积比和玻璃MCP无法达到的高温处理能力。提出的方法可以克服传统技术的局限性，使新一代图像增强器和探测器能够用于生物医学成像。其他应用包括分析和科学仪器的探测器、天文学和物理学研究，以及执法、军事和消费市场的夜视设备。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Biomedical imaging, such as fluorescence microscopy and autoradiography, constantly raises the bar for sensitivity and spatial and temporal resolution of imaging detectors. Many advanced detectors used in biomedical imaging, including intensified CCD cameras, utilize microchannel plates (MCPs), which are solidstate electron multipliers, to intensify weak images. In comparison with other detection concepts, MCP's often provide the most favorable combination of sensitivity, spatial and temporal resolution. However, further improvements in performance/cost ratio of imaging detectors are hindered by the inherent limitations of conventional glass MCP technology. In this project, we propose to develop an alternative approach for fabricating MCPs from micromachined anodic alumina ceramics. The unique nanoscale morphology of this material enables its high aspect ratio micromachining, and provides opportunities for tailoring its properties. In Phase I we aim to demonstrate the feasibility of ceramic MCPs with biased channels, high resolution, high open area ratio and high temperature processing capabilities inaccessible with glass MCPs. The proposed approach could overcome the limitations of conventional technology and enable a new generation of image intensifies and detectors for biomedical imaging. Other applications include detectors for analytical and scientific instruments, research in astronomy and physics, as well as for night-vision devices for law enforcement, military and consumer markets.