A soft x-ray imaging device is disclosed having a housing defining a housing chamber. A faceplate having a planar surface is secured to the housing so that the planar surface is positioned within the housing chamber. A phosphorus coating is applied to the planar surface of the faceplate for convening electrons to visible light. A microchannel plate for convening x-rays to electrons is secured within the housing chamber so that the microchannel plate is spaced from and parallel to the planar surface of the faceplate. An opening is formed in the housing in alignment with the microchannel plate and this opening is sealingly closed by a window which is made of a material substantially transparent to soft x-rays. This window also creates a vacuum tight housing chamber which is continuously evacuated by a pump.