Microchannel Plate Detector
A Microchannel Plate (MCP) Detector is a device used in space and astronautical engineering to detect and amplify low levels of light or charged particles. It consists of a thin plate made of glass or ceramic with millions of microscopic channels that act as electron multipliers. When a photon or charged particle enters the MCP, it collides with the walls of the channels, releasing several electrons. These electrons are then accelerated by an electric field and collide with the walls of adjacent channels, releasing even more electrons. This process continues until a measurable signal is produced. MCP detectors are commonly used in space telescopes, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, to detect and analyze light from distant objects.
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