Microchannel plate image readouts:: in search of high resolution and count rate

The search for the ultimate imaging performance in microchannel plate (MCP) detector systems invariably ends in compromise between competing factors in both the operational and performance arenas. We discuss these compromises in the context of the trade-offs made by current state-of-the-art readout techniques. We present an alternative readout scheme with the potential to rival current readout technologies. This readout scheme uses novel position encoding strategies such as charge comparison amongst a subset of readout electrodes combined with a signal timing method to obtain low resolution charge measurement which enables it to provide high spatial resolution at high count rates. We describe results of a readout simulation using measured data from an electronic breadboard to predict performance. We discuss how this scheme could be adapted to provide the capability for simultaneous event imaging and higher count rates by implementing parallelism.