Perforated mega-boule wafer for fabrication of microchannel plates (MCPs)

1. A mega-boule for use in fabricating microchannel plates (MCPs), the mega-boule comprising

a cross-sectional surface including an island section, an inner perimeter section and an outer perimeter section, each section occupying a distinct portion of the cross-sectional surface,

wherein the island section is formed of a first plurality of optical fibers, transversely oriented to the cross-sectional surface, each optical fiber including a cladding formed of non-etchable material and a core formed of etchable material,

the inner perimeter section is formed of non-etchable material and is disposed to surround the island section, and

the outer perimeter section is formed of a second plurality of optical fibers, transversely oriented to the cross-sectional surface, each optical fiber including a cladding formed of non-etchable material and a core formed of etchable material, and the outer perimeter section is disposed to surround the island section and the inner perimeter section.

2. The mega-boule of claim 1 further including

at least another section occupying a distinct portion of the cross-sectional surface,

wherein the other section is formed of non-etchable material, and is separated from the inner perimeter section by the outer perimeter section.

3. The mega-boule of claim 2 wherein

the first and second plurality of optical fibers and the non-etchable material of the inner perimeter section and the other section form a fused monolithic stack, when heated and pressed.

4. The mega-boule of claim 1 wherein

the echable material and the non-etchable material are glass, and

the non-etchable material includes a higher lead content than the etchable material.

5. The mega-boule of claim 1 wherein

the non-etchable material of the inner perimeter section includes a plurality of support rods transversely oriented to the cross-sectional surface.

6. The mega-boule of claim 1 wherein

the non-etchable material of the inner perimeter section includes a plurality of support rods transversely oriented to the-cross-sectional surface, and

the first plurality of optical fibers of the island section and the plurality of support rods of the inner perimeter section are configured for use as an MCP.

7. The mega-boule of claim 1 wherein

an optical fiber of the first plurality of optical fibers of the island section and an optical fiber of the second plurality of optical fibers of the outer perimeter section are substantially similar in cross-section.

8. The mega-boule of claim 1 wherein

the first plurality of optical fibers of the island section form transverse microchannels for an MCP, when the island section is etched, and

the second plurality of optical fibers of the outer perimeter section form perforated cleave planes, when the outer perimeter section is etched.

9. The mega-boule of claim 1 wherein

the island section, the inner perimeter section and the outer perimeter section have one of a rectangular configuration and a circular configuration.

10. The mega-boule of claim 1 wherein

the outer perimeter section and the island section form an MCP, and

the outer perimeter section includes a sufficient cross-sectional width for forming perforated cleave planes to break away the MCP from the mega-boule, and

for preventing the MCP die accidentally breaking away during fabrication of the MCP.