Ultra-high Sensitivity Flat Image Pick-up Tube with Field Emitter Array

Abstract

A 640×480 pixel ˆeld emitter array (FEA) image sensor with a highgain avalanche rushing amorphous photoconductor (HARP) target was fabricated and tested as a step toward the development of ultrahighsensitivity compact image sensors for highdeˆnition TV cameras. Experiments showed that the prototype sensor could obtain clear images with little noise under illumination on a level equivalent to moonlight, with su‹cient resolution while consuming far less power than current ultrahighsensitivity pickup tubes. Furthermore, various technologies which were suitable for practical image sensor have been developed.