Abstract
A micro-channel plate is an array of miniature electron multipliers that are each acting as a continuous dynode chain. The compact channel structure results in high spatial and time resolutions and robustness to magnetic fields. Micro-channel plates have been originally developed for night vision applications and integrated as an amplification element in image intensifiers. These devices show single-photon sensitivity with very low noise and have been used as such for scintillating fiber tracker readout in high-energy physics experiments. Given their very short transit time spread, micro-channel plate photomultiplier tubes are also being used in time-of-flight and particle identification detectors. The present paper will cover the history of the micro-channel plate development, basic features, and some of their applications. Emphasis will be put on various new manufacturing processes that have been developed over the last few years, and that result in a significant improvement in terms of efficiency, noise, and lifetime performance.
Highlights
The development of conventional photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) was started in the 1930s
The design, characteristics and performance of micro-channel plates (MCPs) made them perfect candidates for compact PMTs with time resolutions better than what could be achieved with classical PMTs equipped with discrete dynodes
Timing of internally Reflected Cherenkov photons (TORCH) requires the development of MCP–PMTs with a transit time spread (TTS) better than 50 ps for single photons and an anode segmented in 128  8 pads each 0.4 mm  6.4 mm in size
Summary
The development of conventional photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) was started in the 1930s In these vacuum devices, single photons are converted in photoelectrons by a photocathode. Various dynode configurations exist: linear, cage, venetian blind, box-and-grid, fine mesh, etc The complexity of their mechanics and biasing circuitry makes them difficult to fabricate; it does not allow for compact structures that would be more robust in e.g. magnetic field environments. These devices essentially maintain the performance of conventional tubes, in particular their single photon sensitivity They can be segmented in arrays of typically 8 Â 8 or 16 Â 16 mm-size elementary cells. They are not suited for applications where very high spatial (r50 mm) and/or timing (r50 ps) resolutions are required. Emphasis will be put on various new MCP manufacturing processes that have been developed over the last few years and that result in a significant improvement in terms of efficiency, noise, and lifetime performance
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