Key milestones in the technological revolution that improved night vision devices

When you go hunting, hiking, or engaging in various activities in the dark, or observing wildlife after sunset, you always take night vision devices with you. They provide you with good visibility and allow you to do your favorite activity without any obstacles. At the same time, you do not even think about how difficult and long the path of development of such devices was before they became what you know them as. This multi-stage process was full of ups and downs, but thanks to the efforts of geniuses of different eras, night optics have turned into practical and easy-to-use equipment. This article will examine the key events that led to a technological revolution and significantly improved night vision devices.

Invention of image intensifier tubes

The first and one of the key milestones in the development of night vision optics was the invention of the image intensifier tube (IIT). This device was introduced in 1928, thanks to the efforts of engineers from the Netherlands, and opened up new possibilities for implementing ideas for creating NVDs. The first IIT was quite primitive. It consisted of a glass cylinder, a photocathode, and a phosphor. Electrodes activated the acceleration of electrons and provided amplification of the image obtained in conditions of minimal illumination. The IIT, created in 1928, was not effective and required additional IR illumination to operate. However, it became the basis for future NVDs and accelerated the process of their appearance.

Transition from ideas on paper to the creation of real NVDs

A key milestone in the development of night optics was the transition from promising ideas and the creation of individual design elements to the production of full-fledged NVDs. This happened during WWII in Germany. At that time, German troops were seeking ways to enhance the combat capabilities of their army and were actively developing devices for conducting operations in the dark. The first models appeared in the early 40s. These were primitive and ineffective NVDs with a minimum range, which were delivered to the battlefield by special trucks. They were also fragile and unreliable, so even minimal damage was enough to make them unsuitable for further use. Despite all its shortcomings, German night vision devices enabled vision in low-light conditions, marking a real breakthrough and laying the groundwork for future development in this area.

Improvement of photocathodes and image amplification methods

After the end of WWII, almost all German NVDs were destroyed, as were most of the spare parts, drawings, and valuable records. However, this was not the end of the history of night optics. The next key milestone in their development was the appearance of improved photocathodes. This occurred between the late 1950s and mid-1960s. The created photocathodes became the basis for new NVD models, which were referred to as the 1st generation. At the same time, an improved image converter was used in the latest night optics. Unlike the previous version, the entire conversion process was conducted in several stages, which enabled the production of a higher-quality result. It was an image in which it was possible to distinguish not only the outlines of objects, but also various small details.

Invention of the microchannel plate

The next key milestone that ensured the transition from the first-generation models to the second-generation NVDs was the invention of the microchannel plate in the 1970s. It had a complex design, featuring millions of microscopic channels on a glass base. During the operation of the equipment, each of them became an independent electron amplifier, allowing for a significant improvement in the quality of the formed image. Now it became brighter, more contrasting and was free of many defects characteristic of the previous generation of night optics. This invention made NVDs more effective equipment, and they began to be used more widely during night military operations.

Implementation of gallium arsenide-based photocathodes

The next technological breakthrough in the field of night optics, humanity did not wait long. Already in the early 80s, they began to implement newly invented photocathodes based on gallium arsenide. These devices evolved into improved versions of their predecessors, offering numerous advantages. The main one was the increase in sensitivity of NVDs. Now they have become effective even in very low-light conditions, which has expanded the range of application of this optics. Models with a new photocathode are classified as generation III. Today, they are the most popular equipment, which is actively used not only by the military, but also by thousands of ordinary people.

Creation of digital night optics

At the beginning of the 21st century, manufacturers of night vision optics released the first digital models. They represented a significant breakthrough, as they substantially improved various aspects of modern NVDs. In new devices, outdated IITs were replaced with CMOS and CCD matrices. This made it possible to eliminate most of the significant design elements and make night vision optics more compact. Digital NVDs also received approximately the same additional functionality as any modern gadget. Now they allow the user to take photos and shoot videos, visually approach and move away from the observed object, and overlay useful information on the image (for example, the distance to the object). Digital optics also opened up unlimited possibilities for using night vision on drones, robotic equipment and other devices.

Combination of night vision and thermal imaging capabilities

The desire to make night optics more universal led to the development of ways to combine night vision and thermal imaging. This process took several years, and at the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century, devices emerged that opened a new chapter in the history of night optics. They functioned like regular NVDs but had the capabilities of agm thermal optics, monoculars, or cameras. Due to this, optics became effective not only in the presence of starlight or moonlight, but also in complete darkness. It was also able to create an image in fog, smoke, snowfall, rain and the presence of various obstacles (for example, dense vegetation). Today, the combination of night vision and thermal imaging is a common occurrence. Devices with this feature are utilized in the military, during rescue operations, for the protection of various facilities, to maintain public order during mass gatherings, and for performing numerous other essential tasks.

Integration of artificial intelligence into NVD work

The advent of artificial intelligence has ushered in a significant technological revolution. Its capabilities have begun to be utilized in various equipment that assists people in their everyday lives, including night vision devices. The integration of AI has enabled additional data processing and the elimination of defects. This has significantly improved the image quality and made it more informative. Artificial intelligence has also "taught" night vision devices to recognize even poorly varied objects. This has opened up new opportunities for round-the-clock video surveillance and many other tasks. Today, AI continues to evolve, so night optics that utilize it will also improve every year. This will make it even more versatile and valuable equipment.

Modern night vision devices are a perfect piece of equipment that works effectively and helps with various tasks. Its appearance became possible due to the technological revolution and numerous changes in the design of such devices. Gradually improving every detail, engineers managed to achieve significant improvements and make night optics as they are known to modern users.