Night Vision Goggles Generations

Since the introduction of night vision, there have been many technologic improvements. Night vision devices are classified into five categories; generation 0, generation 1, generation 2, generation 3, and generation 4.

Original night vision equipment begun its use during World War II. This technology has become known as generation 0. A beam of near-infrared light, projected by the device (IR Illuminator), would bounce off the object and come back to the lens. An anode used with a cathode would accelerate the electrons. A viewable image was created, but using this type of approach the image became distorted. Technologic advancements would soon lead to generation 1 night vision.

At the lowest cost, generation 1 night vision is still the most popular type. It uses vacuum tube technology capable of intensifying light. Light provided by the moon and stars can become amplified up to 1,000 times. Unfortunately on cloudy or moonless nights, the effectiveness of this device becomes almost none. Major improvements would soon lead to the creation of generation 2 night vision.

Dramatic progress was made between generation 1 and generation 2 technology. Developed in the 1970's, these advancements improved the image quality and performance of night vision. Generation 2 introduced the microchannel plate (MCP). An MCP actually increases the number of electrons by the thousands. As a result, the viewable image is less distorted and brighter. Generation 2 allows light to be amplified up to 20,000 times.

Generation 3, developed in the 1990's, features the addition of a sensitive chemical coating to the photocathode. This chemical, gallium arsenide, allows for light to be more efficiently converted into a brighter, sharper image. This allows for light to be amplified 40,000 times. The U.S. Military currently uses generation 3 technology. This type of product costs considerably more than any previous generation. Generation 3 night vision equipment can cost around $3,000.

The greatest amount of night vision improvement has come during the last 10 years. Generation 4, known as "filmless and gated" technology, shows major improvement in very low light environments. The images produced are much less distorted and brighter than ever before.

This continuous progression of night vision technology improves the capabilities of people at night. Most importantly, the U.S. Military has been able to benefit greatly from the use of these technological advancements. For more information on the involvement of night vision in the U.S. Military, please read "Night Vision to Fight Terrorism".