B.G. Photonics

Knowledge Drop Monday: Night Vision Care, Clean, and Purge

Keeping your gear cleaned and purged will extend the longevity of your unit and its ability to perform at its optimal level, reducing malfunctions and deterioration when you need it most.

Rinsing dirt, debris, and moisture from your units housing is something you can and should do after bringing your device back from the field using clean water. Simply eliminating foreign objects from the externals of your device is an easy way to care for your device.

Lens care is equally important however it requires more attention to detail. When debris, water, mud, or other objects attach themselves to the lens it is crucial to use specific cleaning techniques and materials. Failure to apply the right cleaning solutions or using the wrong cloth may result in scratches on the lenses and permanent damage. It is recommended to contact a professional to fully clean the lenses of your device.

Purging of your devices requires proper tools done by a trained technician. When a purge is done all seals are verified to be intact and not damaged, all internal moisture is eliminated by nitrogen which eliminates the internal fogging and erosion of the internal components, and lastly every internal piece is verified to be free from defect.

After a full professional clean and purge is completed, your device will be like new. It is recommended you have your device serviced at least once a year.

Knowledge Drop Monday: Gain Control

The ability for a unit’s light amplification to be adjusted. The higher the gain the brighter the image will be. However, you may see more visual noise in the image. Manual Gain Control (MGC) allows the user to adjust the gain manually. In newer Gen 3 devices, technology allows for Automatic Gain Control (AGC) which reduces the chances of a “white-out” when the unit is exposed to flashes of unexpected light. Whether you adjust your unit manually or utilize AGC there is a balance between not bright enough and starting to see electronic noise which will reduce clarity.

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Figure of Merit (FOM)

A quantitative measure of a night vision device's effectiveness and clarity.

Knowledge Drop Monday - Scintillation

When scintillation occurs in a night vision device, it refers to the random fluctuations or variations in the brightness or intensity of the image. Scintillation can manifest as a "snowy" or noisy appearance in the image seen through the night vision device.

Scintillation is primarily caused by variations in the number of incoming photons (light) being detected by the photocathode of the image intensifier tube. These variations can arise from various factors, such as changes in ambient light conditions, atmospheric conditions, or the movement of objects in the scene being observed.

When scintillation occurs and more noise is observed in the image, it is not necessarily an indication of the phosphor screen receiving a surplus of electrons momentarily showing flashes. Rather, it is typically a result of the fluctuations in the number of photons being detected by the photocathode.

These variations in photon detection can affect the amplification process within the image intensifier tube, leading to increased noise or fluctuations in the image. It's important to note that scintillation is an inherent characteristic of night vision technology and can be influenced by several factors, including the quality of the image intensifier tube, the sensitivity of the photocathode, and external environmental conditions.

Night vision devices are designed to minimize scintillation and optimize image quality under various light conditions, but some level of scintillation may still be present in certain situations.

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Knowledge Drop Monday: Cascading Electrons and MCP Wear

In night vision technology, electron cascading is the process by which the electrons carrying the light signal are amplified as they pass through the microchannel plate (MCP), a key component of night vision devices made thin glass tube with millions of microscopic channels.

As the electrons pass through the channels of the MCP, they are accelerated and focused by an electric field. This produces a cascade of electrons, which results in a higher level of amplification and improved image resolution. The amplified electrons are then directed onto a phosphor screen, which converts them into visible light and produces the final image.

While electron cascading is necessary for the amplification and enhancement of the light signal in night vision technology, it can also cause accelerated wear on the MCP. The high-energy electrons passing through the channels of the MCP can cause physical damage, such as etching or sputtering, to the glass surface of the MCP. This damage can reduce the performance and lifespan of the MCP, and ultimately affect the performance and reliability of the night vision device.

To reduce the effects of electron cascading on the MCP, night vision manufacturers can use advanced materials, such as gallium arsenide (GaAs), to coat the MCP. GaAs is an efficient photoelectric material that can absorb the high-energy electrons and generate additional electrons through the photoelectric effect. This reduces the physical damage to the MCP and extends its lifespan.

Overwatch

Knowledge Drop Monday – Phosphor 2.0

In night vision, phosphor is a material that converts electrons into visible light. Phosphor is used in the image intensifier tube of a night vision device, which is the core component that amplifies and enhances the light signal. Without phosphor, the night vision device would not be able to produce a visible image.

There are several types of phosphor materials used in night vision technology, each with its own characteristics and performance. Some common phosphor types include:

- Green phosphor: A color of phosphor used in night vision devices as it produces a bright and contrasting image that is easy for the human eye to see.

- White phosphor: A very common and often preferred color of phosphor used in current generation night vision devices, as it provides increased contrast and improved detail.

A final noteworthy mention is that different types of phosphor materials can provide different performance and image characteristics, and this is due to tube performance as well as physiological limitations in humans.

Photo Credit: Semantic Scholar & Photonis

Knowledge Drop Monday: EBI

Equivalent Background Illumination (EBI) is the amount of light, measured in lumens per square centimeter, as seen when an Image Intensifier is operating with no light input.

EBI fluctuates and correlates directly with temperature and humidity meaning the warmer the atmospheric temperature, the brighter the background illumination and the harder it is to produce a quality image.

The lower the EBI level, the better. This means that the device will be able to better detect and produce an image with less light, than a device with a higher EBI value.

The user will also experience imperceptibility in extreme/low lighting conditions sooner with a device that has a higher EBI value than one with a lower EBI.

Every night vision device will have a different EBI value with optimal values being below 1.0, and with it being especially important in humid environments.

Note: EBI is up to 2.5 for Elbit and L3 tubes. When choosing a tube, EBI is worth considering as part of the bigger picture but shouldn't be the sole factor in your decision.