Image Intensifiers
Image intensifier tubes (IITs) are vacuum tubes that amplify a low light-level image to observable levels. Image intensifier tubes are the most important modules of night vision devices that play crucial role in defense/security/industrial applications.Technology of manufacturing of image intensifier tubes is very difficult and performance parameters of modern IITs varies even within the same technological process. Next, test report offered by manufacturers cannot be fully trusted because there are some differences in test methods used by different manufactures. Further on, there are literature sources presenting conflicting claims of different manufacturers. It is quite common to find on the world market two night vision devices (or two image intensifier tubes) of the same data sheet parameters but of totally different image quality. Inverse situation is possible, too. Due to reasons mentioned above testing image intensifier tubes is of critical importance for both their manufacturers, manufacturers of night vision devices (NVDs) and final users of NVDs.
