What are Image Intensifiers?
Image intensifiers are devices which enhance ambient light to assist vision in low-light situations. Image intensifiers are used in night-vision goggles, as well as a in number of scientific devices such as microscopes and telescopes. Image intensifiers work by using a photocathode to convert ambient light to electrons, then intensifying the signal when they are converted back to photons. They have been used since World War II, and have passed through four generations of technology. The zero generation of image intensifiers bore very little resemblance to modern image intensifiers. They were simply a way of seeing the infrared spectrum, allowing snipers to sight with infrared beams that were invisible to their enemies. First generation image intensifiers were deployed during the Vietnam War and provided substantial improvements over the zero generation. Though a fair amount of ambient light was still needed, making moonless nights still essentially dark, they were able to amplify that
