Microchannel Plate EUV Detectors for the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer

The design and operating characteristics of the prototype imaging microchannel plate (MCP) detector for the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) Satellite [1] are discussed. We show that this detector has achieved high position resolution performance (> 512×512 pixels) and has low (< 1%) image distortion. In addition, the channel plate scheme used has tight pulse height distributions (< 40% FWHM) for UV radiation and displays low (<.2 cnt cm-2 sec-1) dark background counting rates. We also describe work that has been done on EUV filters in relation to the envisaged filter and photocathode complement.