How do first generation intensifiers work ?
Light particles (photons) first strike a special coating under the glass at the front end of the tube this is called a photocathode. The photocathode reacts by emitting electrical particles called electrons. These electrons are then accelerated down to the rear end of the tube by the presence of a high voltage. Once these very high speed electrons hit the end of tube, they cause a phosphor screen to light up, creating more photons, which can be then be seen by the naked eye. Thus for each photon which enters the tube, many thousands photons will be emitted, hence giving an overall light amplification of thousands of times.
