The use of three-component polymeric composites in preparing a channel electron multiplier

Abstract

The characteristics of secondary electron emission (SEE) of three-component composites including organic compounds have been investigated. The maximum SEE yield for conductive composites which consist only of polyvinylchloride and electroconductive particles such as NATCNQ and carbon black is low (less than 1). The addition of a third component, such as titanium, magnesium or beryllium oxides, sodium chloride, or the complex of TCNQ with anthracene, has enabled the authors to produce composites characterised by high maximum SEE yields for low energy of primary electrons. The study of the SEE yield from such electron-conductive polymeric composites shows that the SEE yield depends above all on the species and quantity of the third compound. On the basis of the data obtained a channel electron multiplier CEM has been developed. The CEM made of the three-component system is characterised by a gain of 107 to 108 (3 kV) at the maximum output current of 10-6 A.