Hex-square moire patterns in imagers using microchannel plates.

In electronic imaging detectors using microchannel plates, the mismatch between the pixels on a square mesh and the microchannels on a hexagonal mesh produces moire image defects. Theoretical statistical estimates of the sizes of the microposition offsets and the flat field intensity errors are calculated, showing the trade-off between resolution and position accuracy. A distinction is made between moments of spot images and moments of the single pixel response functions. As the resolution between the hex and square meshes is improved, the detector resolution is improved but at the expense of an ~10% moire pattern. These moire patterns will not be properly corrected by dividing by the flat field image.