Category Description:

Image intensified (I2) night vision technology has a long military history and has found acceptance in today’s world in public safety and security applications. I2 night vision devices require some ambient light in order to operate effectively. Usually this light is supplied by ambient starlight or moonlight. At the heart of night vision technology is an image intensifier tube, referred to often as an image tube. The tube converts photons to electrons and then amplifies the electron stream through the process of light amplification through a stimulated emission of electrons. A typical night vision device consists of objective and eyepiece lenses, image tube, electronics and a battery power source. The objective lens collects light from portions of the spectrum visible and invisible to the human eye and focuses it on the tube. A microchannel plate or MCP multiplies the electrons passing through and then the highly intensified electron stream strikes a phosphor screen and recreates an image that can now be seen with the human eye. Image intensifier technology continues to advance toward the next generation of image tube, extending it’s usefulness in a variety of systems, from handheld units, goggles and weapon sights.