Cryogenic R5912-20Mod photomultiplier tube characterization for the ProtoDUNE dual phase detector

Abstract

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a dual-site experiment for long-baseline neutrino oscillation studies, and for neutrino astrophysics and nucleon decay searches. The far detector is a 40-kton underground liquid argon time-projection-chamber (LAr TPC), in which the photon detector system adds precise timing capabilities. The ProtoDUNE Dual-Phase detector will consist of a 6×6×6 m3 LAr TPC to be operated at the CERN Neutrino Platform and the photon detection system will be formed by 8-inch cryogenic photomultipliers from Hamamatsu. The PMT model (R5912-20Mod) performance at cryogenic temperature is studied including dark current, gain, and linearity with the light intensity and pulse rate. In addition, the PMT base design is validated. At cold, a decrease of the PMT amplification, or fatigue effect, is measured as the PMT output current increases, either, due to high gain, light intensity or rate. Also, the characterization results of the 40 photomultipliers to be used in ProtoDUNE Dual-Phase are presented.