Cross Strip Microchannel Plate Imaging Photon Counters with High Time Resolution

We have implemented cross strip readout microchannel plate detectors in 18 mm active area format including open face (UV/particle) and sealed tube (optical) configurations. These have been tested with a field programmable gate array based parallel channel electronics for event encoding which can process high input event rates (> 5 MHz) with high spatial resolution. Using small pore MCPs (6 mu m) operated in a pair, we achieve gains of > 5 x 10(5) which is sufficient to provide spatial resolution of <35 mu m FHWM, with self triggered event timing accuracy of similar to 2 ns for sealed tube optical sensors. A peak quantum efficiency of similar to 19% at 500 nm has been achieved with SuperGenII photocathodes that have response over the 400 nm to 900 nm range. Local area counting rates of up to > 200 events/mcp pore sec(-1) have beenattained, along with image linearity and stability to better than 50 mu m.