Electron Optical Picosecond Streak Camera Operating at 140 MHz and 165 MHz Repetition Rates

Abstract

This chapter discusses the repetitively operating Synchroscan streak camera. Single shot electron optical streak cameras have already been demonstrated to have picosecond and subpicosecond time resolution when used in conjunction with pulsed laser systems. This chapter outlines the principle of operation of the Synchroscan camera schematically. There are several advantages associated with a synchronously operated picosecond streak camera. These result from the fact that a very large number of low intensity streaks are accumulated to provide a recordable time resolved image. The photoelectron currents are therefore sufficiently low that space charge dependent increases in time dispersion can be avoided without the requirement for additional image intensification. This chapter illustrates that the Synchroscan streak camera is an important diagnostic tool which is particularly well suited to the investigation of repetitive picosecond luminous phenomena. This technique, which has the advantage of ultra-high detection sensitivity, should therefore have wide application in the picosecond spectroscopy of fluorescence, luminescence, etc. at intensity levels that may be significantly lower than that which is required for measurements involving the single shot streak cameras.