An Operational Model for Microchannel Plate Devices

The behavior of optical detectors using microchannel plates (MCPs) as electron multipliers is described in terms of the physical parameters of the MCP (channel resistance, channel capacitance, channel wall secondary emission ratio, etc.). Three operating modes are included: (1) DC operation at low light levels, (2) pulse detection operation at high peak currents, and (3) single electron counting with cascaded V-plate and Z-plate MCPs.