Showing papers on "Photomultiplier published in 2014"

Calibration of the Super-Kamiokande detector

Abstract: Procedures and results on hardware-level detector calibration in Super-Kamiokande (SK) are presented in this paper. In particular, we report improvements made in our calibration methods for the experimental phase IV in which new readout electronics have been operating since 2008. The topics are separated into two parts. The first part describes the determination of constants needed to interpret the digitized output of our electronics so that we can obtain physical numbers such as photon counts and their arrival times for each photomultiplier tube (PMT). In this context, we developed an in situ procedure to determine high-voltage settings for PMTs in large detectors like SK, as well as a new method for measuring PMT quantum efficiency and gain in such a detector. The second part describes modeling of the detector in Monte Carlo simulations, including, in particular, the optical properties of the water target and their variability over time. Detailed studies on water quality are also presented. As a result of this work, we have achieved a precision sufficient for physics analyses over a wide energy range (from a few MeV to above 1 TeV). For example, charge determination was at the level of 1%, and the timing resolution was 2.1 ns at the one-photoelectron charge level and 0.5 ns at the 100-photoelectron charge level.

Deep sea tests of a prototype of the KM3NeT digital optical module

Abstract: The first prototype of a photo-detection unit of the future KM3NeT neutrino telescope has been deployed in the deep waters of the Mediterranean Sea. This digital optical module has a novel design with a very large photocathode area segmented by the use of 31 three inch photomultiplier tubes. It has been integrated in the ANTARES detector for in-situ testing and validation. This paper reports on the first months of data taking and rate measurements. The analysis results highlight the capabilities of the new module design in terms of background suppression and signal recognition. The directionality of the optical module enables the recognition of multiple Cherenkov photons from the same $^{40}$K decay and the localization bioluminescent activity in the neighbourhood. The single unit can cleanly identify atmospheric muons and provide sensitivity to the muon arrival directions.

Deep sea tests of a prototype of the KM3NeT digital optical module

Abstract: The first prototype of a photo-detection unit of the future KM3NeT neutrino telescope has been deployed in the deep waters of the Mediterranean Sea. This digital optical module has a novel design with a very large photocathode area segmented by the use of 31 three inch photomultiplier tubes. It has been integrated in the ANTARES detector for in-situ testing and validation. This paper reports on the first months of data taking and rate measurements. The analysis results highlight the capabilities of the new module design in terms of background suppression and signal recognition. The directionality of the optical module enables the recognition of multiple Cherenkov photons from the same $^{40}$K decay and the localization bioluminescent activity in the neighbourhood. The single unit can cleanly identify atmospheric muons and provide sensitivity to the muon arrival directions.

Measurement of the absolute Quantum Efficiency of Hamamatsu model R11410-10 photomultiplier tubes at low temperatures down to liquid xenon boiling point

Abstract: We report on the measurements of the absolute Quantum Efficiency(QE) for Hamamatsu model R11410-10 PMTs specially designed for the use in low background liquid xenon detectors. QE was measured for five PMTs in a spectral range between 154.5 nm to 400 nm at low temperatures down to -110°C. It was shown that during the PMT cooldown from room temperature to -110°C (a typical PMT operation temperature in liquid xenon detectors), the absolute QE increases by a factor of 1.1–1.15 at 175 nm. The QE growth rate with respect to temperature is wavelength dependent peaking at about 165 nm corresponding to the fastest growth of about -0.07%QE/°C and at about 200 nm corresponding to slowest growth of below -0.01%QE/°C. A dedicated setup and methods for PMT Quantum Efficiency measurement at low temperatures are described in details.

Performance comparison of scintillators for alpha particle detectors

Abstract: Scintillation detectors for alpha particles are often used in nuclear fuel facilities. Alpha particle detectors have also become important in the research field of radionuclide therapy using alpha emitters. ZnS(Ag) is the most often used scintillator for alpha particle detectors because its light output is high. However, the energy resolution of ZnS(Ag)-based scintillation detectors is poor because they are not transparent. A new ceramic sample, namely the cerium doped Gd 2 Si 2 O 7 (GPS) scintillator, has been tested as alpha particle detector and its performances have been compared to that one of three different scintillating materials: ZnS(Ag), GAGG and a standard plastic scintillator. The different scintillating materials have been coupled to two different photodetectors, namely a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and a Silicon Photo-multiplier (Si-PM): the performances of each detection system have been compared. Promising results as far as the energy resolution performances (10% with PMT and 14% with Si-PM) have been obtained in the case of GPS and GAGG samples. Considering the quantum efficiencies of the photodetectors under test and their relation to the emission wavelength of the different scintillators, the best results were achieved coupling the GPS with the PMT and the GAGG with the Si-PM

Signal encoding method for a time-of-flight PET detector using a silicon photomultiplier array

Abstract: The silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) is a promising photosensor for magnetic resonance (MR) compatible time-of-flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) scanners. The compact size of the SiPM allows direct one-to-one coupling between the scintillation crystal and the photosensor, yielding better timing and energy resolutions than the light sharing methods that have to be used in photomultiplier tube (PMT) PET systems. However, the one-to-one coupling scheme requires a huge volume of readout and processing electronics if no electric signal multiplexing or encoding scheme is properly applied. In this paper, we develop an electric signal encoding scheme for SiPM array based TOF PET detector blocks with the aim of reducing the complexity and volume of the signal readout and processing electronics. In an M×N SiPM array, the output signal of each channel in the SiPM array is divided into two signal lines. These output lines are then tied together in row and column lines. The row and column signals are used to measure the energy and timing information (or vice versa) of each incident gamma-ray event, respectively. Each SiPM channel was directly coupled to a 3×3×20 mm3 LGSO crystal. The reference detector, which was used to measure timing, consisted of an R9800 PMT and a 4×4×10 mm3 LYSO crystal and had a single time resolution of ~200 ps (FWHM). Leading edge discriminators were used to determine coincident events. Dedicated front-end electronics were developed, and the timing and energy resolutions of SiPM arrays with different array sizes (4×4, 8×8, and 12×12) were compared. Breakdown voltage of each SiPM channel was measured using energy spectra within various bias voltages. Coincidence events were measured using a 22Na point source. The average coincidence time resolution of 4×4, 8×8, and 12×12 SiPM arrays were 316 ps, 320 ps, and 335 ps (FWHM), respectively. The energy resolution of 4×4, 8×8, and 12×12 SiPM arrays were 11.8%, 12.5%, and 12.8% (FWHM), respectively. Because of length differences between each SiPM channel and summed signal output on printed a circuit board, propagation delay of ~111 ps was observed. A signal encoding method for a TOF PET block detector using SiPMs has been developed to reduce the complexity and volume of the signal readout and processing electronics required. The proposed method showed promising results, which were measured for various SiPM array sizes.

Silicon Photomultipliers Signal-to-Noise Ratio in the Continuous Wave Regime

Abstract:  Abstract— We report on Signal-to-Noise Ratio measurements carried out, in the continuous wave regime, at different bias voltages, frequencies and temperatures, on a class of silicon photomultipliers fabricated in planar technology on silicon p- type substrate. Signal-to-Noise Ratio has been measured as the ratio of the photogenerated current, filtered and averaged by a lock-in amplifier, and the Root Mean Square deviation of the same current. The measured noise takes into account the shot noise, resulting from the photocurrent and the dark current. We have also performed a comparison between our SiPMs and a photomultiplier tube in terms of Signal-to-Noise Ratio, as a function of the temperature of the SiPM package and at different bias voltages. Our results show the outstanding performance of this class of SiPMs even without the need of any cooling system.

Performance evaluation of a depth-of-interaction detector by use of position-sensitive PMT with a super-bialkali photocathode

Abstract: Our purpose in this work was to evaluate the performance of a 4-layer depth-of-interaction (DOI) detector composed of GSO crystals by use of a position-sensitive photomultiplier tube (PMT) with a super-bialkali photocathode (SBA) by comparing it with a standard bialkali photocathode (BA) regarding the ability to identify the scintillating crystals, energy resolution, and timing resolution. The 4-layer DOI detector was composed of a 16 × 16 array of 2.9 × 2.9 × 7.5 mm3 GSO crystals for each layer and an 8 × 8 multi-anode array type position-sensitive PMT. The DOI was achieved by a reflector control method, and the Anger method was used for calculating interacting points. The energy resolution in full width at half-maximum (FWHM) at 511 keV energy for the top layer (the farthest from the PMT) was improved and was 12.0 % for the SBA compared with the energy resolution of 12.7 % for the BA. As indicators of crystal identification ability, the peak-to-valley ratio and distance-to-width ratio were calculated; the latter was defined as the average of the distance between peaks per the average of the peak width. For both metrics, improvement of several percent was obtained; for example, the peak-to-valley ratio was increased from 1.78 (BA) to 1.86 (SBA), and the distance-to-width ratio was increased from 1.47 (BA) to 1.57 (SBA). The timing resolution (FWHM) in the bottom layer was improved slightly and was 2.4 ns (SBA) compared with 2.5 ns (BA). Better performance of the DOI detector is expected by use of a super bialkali photocathode.

Development of a new fast shower maximum detector based on microchannel plates photomultipliers (MCP-PMT) as an active element

Abstract: One possibility to make a fast and radiation resistant shower maximum (SM) detector is to use a secondary emitter as an active element. We present below test beam results, obtained with different types of photodetectors based on microchannel plates (MCPs) as the secondary emitter. We performed the measurements at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility with 120 GeV proton beam and 12 GeV and 32 GeV secondary beams. The goal of the measurement with 120 GeV protons was to determine time resolution for minimum ionizing particles (MIPs). The SM time resolution we obtained for this new type of detector is at the level of 20–30 ps. We estimate that a significant contribution to the detector response originates from secondary emission of the MCP. This work can be considered as the first step in building a new type of calorimeter based on this principle.

Test of digital neutron–gamma discrimination with four different photomultiplier tubes for the NEutron Detector Array (NEDA)

Abstract: A comparative study of the neutron–γ discrimination performance of a liquid scintillator detector BC501A coupled to four different 5 in. photomultiplier tubes (ET9390kb, R11833-100, XP4512 and R4144) was carried out. Both the Charge Comparison method and the Integrated Rise-Time method were implemented digitally to discriminate between neutrons and γ rays emitted by a 252 Cf source. In both methods, the neutron–γ discrimination capabilities of the four photomultiplier tubes were quantitatively compared by evaluating their figure-of-merit values at different energy regions between 50 keVee and 1000 keVee. Additionally, the results were further verified qualitatively using time-of-flight to distinguish γ rays and neutrons. The results consistently show that photomultiplier tubes R11833-100 and ET9390kb generally perform best regarding neutron–γ discrimination with only slight differences in figure-of-merit values. This superiority can be explained by their relatively higher photoelectron yield, which indicates that a scintillator detector coupled to a photomultiplier tube with higher photoelectron yield tends to result in better neutron–γ discrimination performance. The results of this work will provide reference for the choice of photomultiplier tubes for future neutron detector arrays like NEDA. & 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of the Hamamatsu R11265-103-M64 multi-anode photomultiplier tube

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to fully characterize the new multi-anode photomultiplier tube R11265-103-M64, produced by Hamamatsu. Its high effective active area (77%), its pixel size, the low dark signal rate and the capability to detect single photon signals make this tube suitable for an application in high energy physics, such as for RICH detectors. Four tubes and two different bias voltage dividers have been tested. The results of a standard characterization of the gain and the anode uniformity, the dark signal rate, the cross-talk and the device behaviour as a function of temperature have been studied. The behaviour of the tube is studied in a longitudinal magnetic field up to 100 Gauss. Shields made of a high permeability material are also investigated. The deterioration of the device performance due to long time operation at intense light exposure is studied. A quantitative analysis of the variation of the gain and the dark signals rate due to the aging is described.

Testing and simulation of silicon photomultiplier readouts for scintillators in high-energy astronomy and solar physics

Abstract: Space-based gamma-ray detectors for high-energy astronomy and solar physics face severe constraints on mass, volume, and power, and must endure harsh launch conditions and operating environments. Historically, such instruments have usually been based on scintillator materials due to their relatively low cost, inherent ruggedness, high stopping power, and radiation hardness. New scintillator materials, such as LaBr 3 :Ce, feature improved energy and timing performance, making them attractive for future astronomy and solar physics space missions in an era of tightly constrained budgets. Despite this promise, the use of scintillators in space remains constrained by the volume, mass, power, and fragility of the associated light readout device, typically a vacuum photomultiplier tube (PMT). In recent years, silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) have emerged as promising alternative light readout devices that offer gains and quantum efficiencies similar to those of PMTs, but with greatly reduced mass and volume, high ruggedness, low voltage requirements, and no sensitivity to magnetic fields. In order for SiPMs to replace PMTs in space-based instruments, however, it must be shown that they can provide comparable performance, and that their inherent temperature sensitivity can be corrected for. To this end, we have performed extensive testing and modeling of a small gamma-ray spectrometer composed of a 6 mm×6 mm SiPM coupled to a 6 mm×6 mm ×10 mm LaBr 3 :Ce crystal. A custom readout board monitors the temperature and adjusts the bias voltage to compensate for gain variations. We record an energy resolution of 5.7% (FWHM) at 662 keV at room temperature. We have also performed simulations of the scintillation process and optical light collection using Geant4, and of the SiPM response using the GosSiP package. The simulated energy resolution is in good agreement with the data from 22 keV to 662 keV. Above ~1 MeV, however, the measured energy resolution is systematically worse than the simulations. This discrepancy is likely due to the high input impedance of the readout board front-end electronics, which introduces a non-linear saturation effect in the SiPM for large light pulses. Analysis of the simulations indicates several additional steps that must be taken to optimize the energy resolution of SiPM-based scintillator detectors.

Tunka-Rex: Status and results of the first measurements

Abstract: Tunka-Rex is the new radio extension of Tunka-133 located in Siberia close to Lake Baikal The latter is a photomultiplier array registering air-Cherenkov light from air showers induced by cosmic-ray particles with initial energies of approximately 1016– 10 18 eV Tunka-Rex extends this detector with 25 antennas spread over an area of 1 km2 It is triggered externally by Tunka-133, and detects the radio emission of the same air showers The combination of an air-Cherenkov and a radio detector provides a facility for hybrid measurements and cross-calibration between the two techniques The main goal of Tunka-Rex is to determine the precision of the reconstruction of air-shower parameters using the radio detection technique It started operation in autumn 2012 We present the overall concept of Tunka-Rex, the current status of the array and first analysis results

Performance in space of the AMS-02 RICH detector

Abstract: AMS-02 was successfully installed on the International Space Station (ISS) in May 2011, to perform precise measurements of galactic cosmic rays in the 100 MV to few TV magnetic rigidity range. Among several specialized sub-detectors, AMS-02 includes a Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector (RICH), which provides a precise measurement of the particle charge and velocity. The Cherenkov light is produced in a radiator made of silica aerogel and sodium fluoride and collected by means of an array of photomultiplier tubes. Since its launch to space, the detector has been taking data without failures; its functionality and data integrity are monitored and show stable response. In order to achieve the optimal detector performance, calibrations have been performed to account for the dependence of the photodetectors response on temperature and for effective non-uniformities in the detector. The knowledge gathered of the photon yield at the percent level resulted in a charge resolution of 0.3 charge units for He and 0.5 charge units for Si ions. The required precision in the measurements of the particle velocity at the per mil level demanded a more accurate determination of the aerogel refractive index. A map of the aerogel radiator refractive index has been directly inferred from in-flight high statistics data with a precision of Δn/n 5 ions has been obtained.

Digitalized two parametric system for gamma/neutronspectrometry

Abstract: Many types of detectors like stilbene, NE-213 etc in conjunction with photomultiplier loaded with low working resistance produce pulses of approximately 100 ns length and contain information about deposited particle in the trailing edge Using fast analog to digital converters (ADC) and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) it is possible to create a spectrometric system working in mixed gamma and neutron fields which is not loaded dead time The count rate of processed pulses can reach more than one million per second Such a high count rate of processed pulses can be achieved due to the pulse processing is implemented in FPGA The output of this pulse processing is amplitude which describes the energy of deposited particle and discrimination parameter whereby it is possible to discriminate photons and neutrons To increase the dynamic range of energy of detectable particle the signal from photomultiplier is separated into two branches with different amplification Each branch is digitalized by separate ADC Components from which the system is composed are so light that the spectrometer can be easily transported Its weight is less than 3 kilograms Spectrometer was tested in the research reactor LR-0 in Rez near Prague (Czech Republic) The measured data was processed using deconvolution into a neutron flux density and compared with nowadays used analog spectrometer and simulation result Measured neutron spectrum of Cf-252 is included

Light-weight Flexible Magnetic Shields For Large-Aperture Photomultiplier Tubes

Abstract: Thin flexible sheets of high-permeability FINEMET R foils encased in thin plastic layers have been used to shield various types of 20-cm-diameter photomultiplier tubes from ambient magnetic fields. In the presence of the Earth’s magnetic field this type of shielding is shown to increase the collection e ciency of photoelectrons and can improve the uniformity of response of these photomultiplier tubes.

Photomultiplier tube, image sensor, and an inspection system using a pmt or image sensor

Abstract: A photomultiplier tube includes a semiconductor photocathode and a photodiode. Notably, the photodiode includes a p-doped semiconductor layer, an n-doped semiconductor layer formed on a first surface of the p-doped semiconductor layer to form a diode, and a pure boron layer formed on a second surface of the p-doped semiconductor layer. A gap between the semiconductor photocathode and the photodiode may be less than about 1 mm or less than about 500 μm. The semiconductor photocathode may include gallium nitride, e.g. one or more p-doped gallium nitride layers. In other embodiments, the semiconductor photocathode may include silicon. This semiconductor photocathode can further include a pure boron coating on at least one surface.

Digital processing of signals from LaBr3:Ce scintillation detectors

Abstract: In this paper, we report on the results of digital signal processing of LaBr3(Ce) detectors. The photomultiplier (PMT) output signals from two cylindrical LaBr3(Ce) detectors (1.5'' diameter and 2'' tall) were directly digitized with an ultrafast digitizer (sampling rate up to 4 GSample/s and 10-bits resolution) and the energy and timing information were extracted through offline analysis of the pulses. It is shown that at high sampling rates (4 GS/s) a simple integration of pulses is sufficient to reproduce the analogue energy resolution of the detectors (3.5% at 662 keV energy) and by employing a digital version of constant-fraction discrimination (CFD) timing a time resolution of 240 ps (FWHM) is achieved at the energy lines of 60Co. The effects of pulse sampling rate were studied, indicating a degradation of the performance of the detectors with reducing the pulse sampling rate. In particular, it was found that at sampling rates below 1 GS/s, the digital timing can be limited by the aliasing error. By using an anti-aliasing filter, a time resolution of 375 ps (FWHM) and an energy resolution of 3.5% at 662 keV were achieved with a sampling rate of 500 MS/s.

Ultraweak Electromagnetic Wavelength Radiation as Biophotonic Signals to Regulate Life Processes

Abstract: In recent years the low level analysis of ultra-weak photon emission in human cells is achieved using sophisticated Photomultiplier Technique (PMT). The basis of photonic measurements goes back to the theoretical finding of Einstein that a photon, which hits a metal plate, causes an electrical impulse. This current can be detected by single photon detection device as mentioned before. As shown in a variety of analytical laboratories worldwide using this sensitive workhorse it is evident that all cells from plants over animals up to humans emit a low level biophotonic emission. The measured electromagnetic wavelengths of this miniscule 0.01 Femto Watt (10-17 W) radiation are ranging from ultraviolet light over the visible up to the infrared region. In order to visualize the size of this very weak light source: the luminous power of a candle in a Lunar Distance (LD) (1 LD equal to 384’400 km) still can be measured using the photomultiplier system mentioned above. From biophotonics investigations so far, the origin of ultra-weak photon emission is the DNA as well as proteins coupled with radical reactions. In order to determine this radiation in human cells, a fibroblastic differentiation system was developed using dermal fibroblasts of skin. Since normal cells store efficiently ultra-weak photons, it has been shown that older cells as well as cancer tissue tend to lose this retention capacity. From all these results it seems evident, that this low level radiation serve as biophotonic signals in order to transfer information in biological systems. Further intense basic research is needed in order to show evidence that ultraweak electromagnetic radiation plays the key role in life.

A near-infrared SETI experiment: probability distribution of false coincidences

Abstract: A Search for Extraterrestrial Life (SETI), based on the possibility of interstellar communication via laser signals, is being designed to extend the search into the near-infrared spectral region (Wright et al, this conference). The dedicated near-infrared (900 to 1700 nm) instrument takes advantage of a new generation of avalanche photodiodes (APD), based on internal discrete amplification. These discrete APD (DAPD) detectors have a high speed response (< 1 GHz) and gain comparable to photomultiplier tubes, while also achieving significantly lower noise than previous APDs. We are investigating the use of DAPD detectors in this new astronomical instrument for a SETI search and transient source observations. We investigated experimentally the advantages of using a multiple detector device operating in parallel to remove spurious signals. We present the detector characterization and performance of the instrument in terms of false positive detection rates both theoretically and empirically through lab measurements. We discuss the required criteria that will be needed for laser light pulse detection in our experiment. These criteria are defined to optimize the trade between high detection efficiency and low false positive coincident signals, which can be produced by detector dark noise, background light, cosmic rays, and astronomical sources. We investigate experimentally how false coincidence rates depend on the number of detectors in parallel, and on the signal pulse height and width. We also look into the corresponding threshold to each of the signals to optimize the sensitivity while also reducing the false coincidence rates. Lastly, we discuss the analytical solution used to predict the probability of laser pulse detection with multiple detectors.

A well-type phoswich detector for nuclear explosion monitoring

Abstract: In this work, a well-type phoswich detector with three scintillation layers has been designed and tested for measuring atmospheric xenon radioisotopes in order to monitor nuclear explosions. The detector was made by optically coupling three concentric cylindrical scintillation layers (BC-400, CsI(Tl) and BGO) to a single photomultiplier tube. Beta-gamma coincidence technique was used to detect beta particles and gamma rays. Other important features of this detector are its Compton suppression capability and simple, compact and cost effective design. Our calculations and measurements with the well-type phoswich detector show that the minimum detectable concentrations are close to or below 1 mBq/m3 for the four xenon radioisotopes.

Zero-dark-counting high-speed X-ray photon detection using a cerium-doped yttrium aluminum perovskite crystal and a small photomultiplier tube and its application to gadolinium imaging

Abstract: X-ray photons are detected using a cerium-doped yttrium aluminum perovskite [YAP(Ce)] single-crystal scintillator with a decay time of 30 ns and a small-sized photomultiplier tube (SPMT). The negative output pulse from the SPMT is amplified by a high-speed inverse amplifier, and the event pulses are sent to a multichannel analyzer to measure X-ray spectra. The energy resolution of the spectrometer was 15% at 59.5 keV. We carried out photon-counting computed tomography using gadolinium media with a maximum rate of 650 kilo counts per second and confirmed the energy-dispersive effect with changes in the description voltage of event pulses using a high-speed comparator.

Avalanche photodiodes based on MoS2/Si heterojunctions

Abstract: Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are the semiconducting analogue of photomultiplier tubes offering very high internal current gain and fast response. APDs are interesting for a wide range of applications in communications1, laser ranging2, biological imaging3, and medical imaging4 where they offer speed and sensitivity superior to those of classical p-n junction-based photodetectors. The APD principle of operation is based on photocurrent multiplication through impact ionization in reverse-biased p-n junctions. APDs can either operate in proportional mode, where the bias voltage is below breakdown, or in Geiger mode, where the bias voltage is above breakdown. In proportional mode, the multiplication gain is finite, thus allowing for photon energy discrimination, while in Geiger mode of operation the multiplication gain is virtually infinite and a self-sustaining avalanche may be triggered, thus allowing detection of single photons5. Here, we demonstrate APDs based on vertically stacked monolayer MoS2 and p-Si, forming an abrupt p-n heterojunction. With this device, we demonstrate carrier multiplication exceeding 1000. Even though such multiplication factors in APDs are commonly accompanied by high noise, our devices show extremely low noise levels comparable with those in regular photodiodes. These heterostructures allow the realization of simple and inexpensive high-performance and low-noise photon counters based on transition metal dichalcogenides.

Experimental investigation of silicon photomultipliers as compact light readout systems for gamma-ray spectroscopy applications in fusion plasmas.

Abstract: A matrix of Silicon Photo Multipliers has been developed for light readout from a large area 1 in. × 1 in. LaBr3 crystal. The system has been characterized in the laboratory and its performance compared to that of a conventional photo multiplier tube. A pulse duration of 100 ns was achieved, which opens up to spectroscopy applications at high counting rates. The energy resolution measured using radioactive sources extrapolates to 3%–4% in the energy range Eγ = 3–5 MeV, enabling gamma-ray spectroscopy measurements at good energy resolution. The results reported here are of relevance in view of the development of compact gamma-ray detectors with spectroscopy capabilities, such as an enhanced gamma-ray camera for high power fusion plasmas, where the use of photomultiplier is impeded by space limitation and sensitivity to magnetic fields.

Timing optimization utilizing order statistics and multichannel digital silicon photomultipliers

Abstract: We present an optimization technique utilizing order statistics with a multichannel digital silicon photomultiplier (MD-SiPM) for timing measurements. Accurate timing measurements are required by 3D rangefinding and time-of-flight positron emission tomography, to name a few applications. We have demonstrated the ability of the MD-SiPM to detect multiple photons, and we verified the advantage of detecting multiple photons assuming incoming photons follow a Gaussian distribution. We have also shown the advantage of utilizing multiple timestamps for estimating time-of-arrivals more accurately. This estimation technique can be widely available in various applications, which have a certain probability density function of incoming photons, such as a scintillator or a laser source.

Position sensitive detector for fluorescence lifetime imaging

Abstract: We present a detector system with a microchannel plate based photomultiplier tube (MCP-PMT) and its application for fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) in visible light. A capacity coupled imaging technique (charge image) combined with a charge division anode is employed for the positional readout. Using an artificial neural network's (ANN) computation model we are able to reconstruct the position of the incident photon as precise as 20 microns over the detector active area of 25 mm diameter. Thus, the resulting image quality corresponds roughly to a megapixel conventional CCD camera. Importantly, it is feasible to reach such resolution using only 9 charge acquisition channels supporting the anode structure of 14 interconnected readout electrodes. Additionally, the system features better than 50 ps temporal resolution allowing single photon counting FLIM acquisition with a regular fluorescence wide-field microscope.

SiPM Avalanche Size and Crosstalk Measurements with Light Emission Microscopy

Abstract: Diodes operating in reverse bias emit visible light. This light emission process is important in silicon photomultipliers where microcells, arranged in a matrix, can trigger avalanches in adjacent microcells. One of the main goals toward improving silicon photomultipliers as light detectors is to design sensors with significantly higher photon detection efficiency than the classical photomultipliers. To achieve this goal, one needs to operate the silicon photomultiplier under a high relative overvoltage, saturating its Geiger efficiency. This means operating it under high gain and a correspondingly high level of optical crosstalk. In this paper, we describe a new and precise visual method for measuring the crosstalk as well as the transverse size of avalanches in a silicon photomultiplier microcell. This size turns out to be significantly smaller than the usually used microcell size, practically independent from the overvoltage or type. It also has implications for designing small, fast microcells that could reach a naturally lower size limit.

Development and production of the MCP-PMT for the Belle II TOP counter

Abstract: A square shape multi-anode micro-channel-plate photomultiplier tube (MCP-PMT) was developed for the Belle II TOP counter. It has a 23×23 mm2 multi-alkali photocathode with a peak quantum efficiency (QE) of 28% around a wavelength of 360 nm. It has a 2 × 10 6 gain and is capable of detecting a single photon with a transit time spread (TTS) of 40 ps or less. The QE, gain and TTS were measured for each MCP-PMT to check the quality in the mass production of 550 MCP-PMTs. The lifetime of the MCP-PMT was extended to 10 C/cm2 by adapting the atomic layer deposition technique for the MCP coating. Other properties of the MCP-PMT are also discussed: the angle and polarization dependence of the QE, and the effects of charge sharing and cross-talk. A prototype TOP counter was tested with a 2 GeV/c positron beam. The distribution of the time of propagation was consistent with the calculated expectation which included those properties of the MCP-PMT.

Design of Cherenkov bars for the optical part of the time-of-flight detector in Geant4.

Abstract: We present the results of studies devoted to the development and optimization of the optical part of a high precision time-of-flight (TOF) detector for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This work was motivated by a proposal to use such a detector in conjunction with a silicon detector to tag and measure protons from interactions of the type p + p → p + X + p, where the two outgoing protons are scattered in the very forward directions. The fast timing detector uses fused silica (quartz) bars that emit Cherenkov radiation as a relativistic particle passes through and the emitted Cherenkov photons are detected by, for instance, a micro-channel plate multi-anode Photomultiplier Tube (MCP-PMT). Several possible designs are implemented in Geant4 and studied for timing optimization as a function of the arrival time, and the number of Cherenkov photons reaching the photo-sensor.