Absorption of optical power in an S-20 photocathode

Abstract

By considering a monochromatic plane wave obliquely incident upon a planar layer of S-20 photocathode material, deposited upon a non-absorbing glass substrate, the distribution of optical power absorbed within the layer can be resolved. This is important to the question of photocathode efficiency, as the absorbed light excites photoelectrons within the photocathode which then may pass from the photocathode into the vacuum of the photomultiplier tube and be collected and multiplied. The calculation uses the measured complex permittivity of an extended red S-20 photocathode in the wavelength range, 375–900 nm. The results show that thin film effects are important within the photocathode, as they give rise to interesting power absorption profiles. This information is invaluable in predicting optimum photocathode thickness for wavelength selective applications. Electromagnetic waves that are obliquely incident upon the photocathode are also considered in both transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarizations.