We present data demonstrating the influence of an applied electric fieldEoriented normal to the input surface of a microchannel plate (MCP) detector on the critical operating parameters of the detector, including the quantum detection efficiency, the spatial resolution, and pulse height distribution. The MCP detector response is characterized using 20 keV protons as the primary radiation. An applied electric fieldE<−4 V/mm, where a negative value ofEcorresponds to a nearby object that is biased positive relative to the input surface, results in a high spatial resolution and a quantum detection efficiency that is approximately equal to the open area ratio of the MCP. An electric field −1<E<5 V/mm results in low spatial resolution, in which up to 32% of the measured signal appears as a localized noise that extends several millimeters from the point of ion impact, and a maximum quantum detection efficiency of approximately 0.87. Furthermore, a separate peak in the pulse‐height distribution arises from ions striking the web of the MCP detector and has a much lower pulse magnitude than that of ions striking channels. ForE≳5 V/mm, the spatial resolution increases, and the quantum detection efficiency slightly decreases from its maximum value with increasingE. The characteristics of each of these electric field configurations are analyzed in the context of the yield and transport of secondary electrons created at the web of the MCP detector, and the results can be scaled to other ions and energies according to the secondary electron yield of ions striking the web. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.