  Microchannel plates (MCPs) were recently proposed as novel type of cathodes
for electron guns, suitable for applications in design of electron lenses. We
report results of the first systematic study of microchannel plate based
photomultiplier time response and maximum current density tests using different
sources of light pulses. The Burle 85011-501 MCP-PMT is found to have good time
response properties being capable of producing nanosecond long pulses with
modest maximum current density and performance strongly dependent on magnetic
field strength.
