Year: 1977
Type: article
Abstract: Several years ago a new era in streak cameras began with the introduction of an x-ray sensitive proximity-focused streak tube. This device displayed better than 3 ps resolution and a large dynamic range, making it a fundamental laser-fusion diagnostic. The new tube is based upon parallel-photoelectron trajectories, rather than cross-over or pinhole electron optics used in virtually all other streak tubes. This eliminates a host of problems due to space charge buildup effects at the electron pinhole such as low dynamic resolution, limited dynamic range and unpredictable instrumental field distortion. In the old tube instrumental errors are related to distribution of photocathode illumination in picosecond temporal application. Recently a visible variant of the proximity-focused tube design has been constructed. This camera displays all the advantages of its predecessor including high sensitivity, large dynamic range and a flat format making it ideal for digital readout. In addition, picosecond streaks of high statistical quality indicate the design limit has yet to be reached. The new camera has already uncovered laser oscillator problems proving its utility as a basic laser diagnostic. Using this new ''photon micrometer'', a myriad of new optical techniques such as high-accuracy three dimensional imaging are now possible.
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4384922010