Technology

MCPs

MCPs are high-gain, two-dimensional electron multipliers, amplifying single particles (ions, electrons, photons) into a detectable electron cloud with high spatial and temporal resolution.

Microchannel Plates (MCPs) function as ultra-fast particle amplifiers: they are thin, resistive slabs, typically lead glass, packed with millions of microscopic channels, each acting as an independent continuous-dynode electron multiplier. When a single particle or photon enters a channel, it initiates an electron cascade, yielding a high-gain output pulse. A chevron (two-plate) configuration achieves gains around $10^6$, while a Z-stack (three-plate) can reach $10^8$ electrons per event. This technology is critical for applications demanding high resolution and sensitivity, including Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOF-MS), X-ray and EUV astronomy, and military-grade night vision devices.