Electro-optical registration of fast events is based upon the usage of pulse electron-optical image converters as temporal detectors, thus providing spatial-temporal description of physical phenomena. The method is widely applied to studies on THERMO-NUCLEAR SYNTHETICS, PLASMA PHYSICS, QUANTUM ELECTRONICS, NON-LINEAR OPTICS, AERODYNAMICS, BALLISTICS, BIOLOGY, MEDICINE, etc.

    They mostly used in photochronography and framing techniques. In the photochronographic mode an optical image is focused into a narrow slit on the photocathode producing the electron image which is then sweeped across phosphor screen. Thus, the temporal axis is obtained.

    B - intensity profile (phosphor screen)
Dt - temporal characteristic of the studied process
(obtained from the required intensity level)
In the framing technique a two-dimensional image (frame) is focused on the photocathode. At the starting point the tube is shuttered. After the start the electron image from the photocathode reaches the screen. Thus, sequential shuttering of the image along with corresponding positioning of the frames across phosphor screen permits multiframe registration.

    The difference between chronographic and framing tubes is rather conventional. There is nothing prohibiting the usage of any streak tube in the framing mode and vice versa. Still framing tubes obtain larger photocathode useful area and additional deflecting plates thus, providing more effective usage of phosphor screen. However, the magnitude of electron beam aperture in framing tubes causes some difficulties in shuttering and deflecting electron image.

    The temporal resolution and framing frequency provided by the electron image converters are far beyond competition with those provided by any other technique. Moreover, the electro-optical technique permits an up to 1,000,000 intensification of the incident radiation. Thus, studies on low light level objects become available.

    Multiformity of research problems involving image converters stimulated creation of rich variety of the tools which operate within spectral range for the gamma to the near IR and are designed specially to perform any particular experiment.

    The common streak or/and framing tube has as a rule photocathode sensitive within given spectral range, electrostatic or magnetic focusing system, electron beam control unit consisting of electron shutter and electrostatic deflecting plates, and finally phosphor screen. The latter is deposited on the inner surface of FOP which provides junction with film free readout systems or proximity focused photography. Some tubes may carry photocathode on the inner surface of input FOP. The outer surface may carry phosphor layer providing operation in X-ray range. The input FOP may be easily assembled with fiber light conductor which significantly simplifies the camera input system and provides practically loss free image transfer.

B1 - B4 - intensity of electron image frames (1 to 4) t1 - t4 - exposure times

    Products page presents main characteristics of streak and framing image converters designed and produced by BIFO Company. These tools may be easily divided into two domains: PV-type designed for high speed photography and PIM-type which can operate in both chronographic and framing modes.