What is the spatial resolution of MCPs?
A.- An important performance parameter of the Microchannel Plate (MCP) is spatial resolution. The ability of a microchannel plate to resolve spatially, two adjacent events is called the limiting resolution. The limiting resolution of a micro channel plate is ultimately dictated by the channel pitch, sometimes referred to as the centre-to-centre spacing. MCPs are fabricated with channel pitches ranging from 6 to 32 microns. Limiting resolution is characterised in terms of line pairs per millimetre. Figure 4 indicates the relationship between channel pitch and limiting resolution. Fig 4 The limiting resolution of a detector system can be affected by parameters other than those dictated by the microchannel plate. The spacing and field strength between the output side of the microchannel plate and the readout device must be optimised in order to preserve the maximum resolution of the detector. In addition, the input events to be imaged must be properly focused on the detector input side. T
