title: Microchannel plate life tests.
abstract: We have investigated the manner in which the gain of a microchannel plate (MCP) changes as the plate is operated at moderate output currents. We find that the total charge per unit area Q (C-cm(-2)) extracted from the MCP is the relevant quantity for evaluating the performance of the MCP. The shape of the gain vs Q curve may contain important information on the gain decay process. The MCP's showed no long periods of stable gain similar to those frequently exhibited by channeltrons.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Sandel
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Broadfoot
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Shemansky