Intensified charge-coupled device

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An intensified charged-coupled device (ICCD) is a CCD that is fiber-optically connected to a micro-channel plate (MCP) to increase the sensitivity. In ICCD Cameras a photo-cathode in front of the MCP converts photons to electrons which are multiplied by the MCP. After the MCP a phosphor screen converts the electrons back to photons which are fiber-optically guided to the CCD. Also several cascades of MCPs are used.

ICCDs are used in night-vision equipment. Besides the gain in sensitivity the possibility of gating the MCP also offers the possibility to gate ICCD cameras very fast. Therefore ICCD cameras are also used for range-gated imaging.

See also: Electron-multiplying CCD