Novel Ceramic Microchannel Plates for Biomedical Imaging

描述（由申请人提供）： 生物医学成像，例如荧光显微镜和放射自显影，不断提高成像检测器的灵敏度以及空间和时间分辨率。生物医学成像中使用的许多先进探测器，包括增强型CCD相机，都利用微通道板（MCP）来增强弱图像，微通道板是一种固态电子倍增器。与其他检测概念相比，MCP通常提供灵敏度、空间和时间分辨率的最有利组合。然而，成像检测器的性能/成本比的进一步改进受到常规玻璃MCP技术的固有限制的阻碍。 在这个项目中，我们建议开发一种替代的方法来制造微加工阳极氧化铝陶瓷MCP。这种材料独特的纳米级形态使其具有高纵横比的微加工，并提供了定制其性能的机会。在第一阶段，我们的目标是证明陶瓷MCP的可行性与偏置通道，高分辨率，高开口面积比和高温处理能力与玻璃MCP无法访问。所提出的方法可以克服传统技术的局限性，并使新一代的图像增强和检测器的生物医学成像。其他应用包括用于分析和科学仪器、天文学和物理学研究的探测器，以及用于执法、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.