Microchannel plate EUV detectors for the extreme ultraviolet explorer

The design and operating characteristics of the prototype imaging microchannel plate (MCP) detector for the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) Satellite are discussed. The authors show that this detector has achieved high position resolution performance (> 512X512 pixels) and has low (< 1%) image distortion. In addition, the channel plate scheme used has tight pulse height distributions (< 40% FWHM) for UV radiation and displays low (< .2 cnt cm-2 sec-1) dark background counting rates. The authors also describe work that has been done on EUV filters in relation to the envisaged filter and photocathode complement