NCJ Number
150464
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1994) Pages: 46-48,50,55,97
Date Published
1994
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes the technology and history of night vision equipment and assesses the characteristics of various Russian-made night-vision devices.
Abstract
The enhancement of images using existing light requires a number of conditions. Light images, composed of photons are visible to the human eye but must be converted into electrons before they can be intensified. This conversion is achieved by passing the photons through a thin glass plate covered with a chemical film that converts the photons into electrons. The electrons are then channeled into a vacuumed image converter tube and electrically or magnetically accelerated. Inside the tube, the electrons bounce off the chemically treated walls, creating an increasing number of like electrons. These amplified electrons then pass over a phosphor screen that converts the electrons back into photons, which is the image a person sees in the eyepiece. After describing this technology, the article describes the various generations of night vision devices that reflect technology advances. This is followed by profiles and assessments of the following Russian-made night-vision devices: MPN 1000-I, MPN 1500, MPN 30 K, MPN 90K, and the MPN 60K.