Image intensifiers

Image intensifier tubes (IITs) are vacuum tubes that amplify a low light-level image to observable levels. Image intensifier tubes are the most important modules of night vision devices that play crucial role in defense/security/industrial applications. Technology of manufacturing of image intensifier tubes is very difficult and performance parameters of modern IITs varies even within the same technological process. Next, test report offered by manufacturers cannot be fully trusted because there are some differences in test methods used by different manufactures. Further on, there are literature sources presenting conflicting claims of different manufacturers. It is quite common to find on the world market two night vision devices (or two image intensifier tubes) of the same data sheet parameters but of different image quality. Inverse situation is possible, too. Due to reasons mentioned above testing image intensifier tubes is of critical importance for both their manufacturers, manufacturers of night vision devices (NVDs) and final users of NVDs.


Testing of image intensifier tubes is typically done according to methods recommended by US MIL standards. These test methods refer to testing potted tubes after encapsulation. There are however some projects when more detail testing is needed using non-MILs methods or bare tubes before encapsulation are to be tested.
ITIP is the main Inframet station for testing image intensifier tubes. It is a quasi universal station that enables measurement imaging,photometric, electrical and temporal parameters of of image intensifier tubes.This new test station replaces old ITS-I, ITS-IP, ITS-P test stations manufactured by Inframet until middle of 2017 year.

Inframet offers also two additional test stations ITR and IPAS. The first station enables measurement of reliability parameters of  tubes.  The second  enables testing performance of miniaturized HV power supplies used to built modern image intensifier tubes.








Fig.1 ITIP test station Fig.2 ITR test station Fig.3 IPAS test station

 

Optional tools

The HVP14 power supply is a special high voltage power supply optimized for use in systems for testing bare image intensifier tubes. It is built as set of of four HV power modules: HVP-1 to power photocathode circuit, : HVP-2 to power MCP circuit, HVP-3 to power screen circuit, and HVP-4 an option for some Gen3 tubes when voltages higher than 6000 V are needed. The HVP power supply differ significantly from typical laboratory high voltage power supplies. The HVP power modules can be connected into a cascade. Flexible grounding (any output socket of any power supply can be grounded) is possible, too. Next, the voltage regulation ranges are optimized for testing bare image intensifier tubes.
Inframet can also deliver computerized HVP14C power supply that  enables remote power control of bare II tubes. HVP14C power supply is especially useful for manufacturers of II tubes than want to automatically determine optimal voltages for powering bare II tubes in order to achieve best MTF function.

HVP14 high voltage power supply

Market situation

Inframet is the top world leader in equipment for testing image intensifier tubes. A series of well known manufacturers of II tubes or manufacturers of night vision devices use Inframet test stations to improve quality control of their products. Other important group of our customers are scientific institutes doing research in field of image intensifier tubes.

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