Image Intensifier

An image intensifier is an electro-optical component that can produce an intensified monochrome image on a phosphor screen from a cone of incoming light, usually intended to enhance an incoming image beyond what optics and digital sensors are capable of.

In the field of night vision, image intensifier refers to image intensifier tubes which are image miniaturized image intensifiers (usually in tubular shape, hence the name) that form the core component of any night vision device.

Image intensifier tubes are inserted into a housing that otherwise only provides optics, power supply, and protection of the sensitive component. Many formats of image intensifier tubes are designed to be exchangable with limited tooling and know-how, originally intended to allow armies to replace damaged image intensifier tubes by an engineer during deployment.