A compact large-format streak tube for imaging lidar

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Lidar Technology
• High-Speed Imaging

Background:

• Streak tubes are critical components in imaging lidar systems, influencing field of view, depth of field, and detection range.
• Existing streak tubes often face limitations in spatial resolution, photocathode area, or physical dimensions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and test a novel, compact, meshless streak tube with a large photocathode area and high spatial resolution.
• To evaluate the performance characteristics, including spatial resolution, temporal resolution, temporal distortion, and sensitivity, of the developed streak tube.

Main Methods:

• Design of a meshless streak tube featuring a spherically curved cathode and screen.
• Simulation and experimental testing to determine spatial resolution, temporal resolution, and temporal distortion.
• Measurement of photocathode radiant sensitivity and radiant power gain at a specific wavelength.

Main Results:

• Achieved a spatial resolution of 20 lp/mm across a Φ28 mm photocathode working area.
• Simulated physical temporal resolution is better than 30 ps.
• Photocathode radiant sensitivity reached 41 mA/W and radiant power gain was 18.4 at 550 nm.
• Minimized temporal distortion by optimizing the photocathode's radius of curvature.
• External dimensions are compact, measuring no more than Φ60 mm × 110 mm.

Conclusions:

• The developed streak tube meets the requirements for improved imaging lidar performance due to its large photocathode area, high spatial resolution, and compact size.
• The design addresses temporal distortion as a critical factor in large-format streak tubes.
• This compact, high-performance streak tube is suitable for advancing multiple-slit streak tube imaging lidar applications.