Abstract
A microchannel plate (MCP) has several hundred thousand channels, each of which functions as an electron multiplier. A photomultiplier can be constructed by using a photocathode, MCP and an anode. The overall performance is expected to be superior to the best available photomultipliers. Gains of 103 - 107 can be obtained with timing and spatial resolutions of 100 psec and 25 μm respectively. Two dimentional readouts are possible. A review of the applications and development status of this device is presented.