Very high long-term stability synchroscan streak camera

Abstract

In this article, we present the drifts phenomena that affect the temporal resolution of a standard synchroscan streak camera and some techniques to correct them in order to enhance the long-term resolution of these cameras. First, we give a comprehensive list of the components of the synchroscan streak camera which are sensitive to temporal and thermal drift: from the trigger circuit to the deflection plate of the tube. The way in which these components make the camera drift is explained and then quantified. A measure of drift realized on two streak cameras at the same time and in the same conditions (the same synchroscan signal) shows that each camera has its own intrinsic and stochastic drift. Second, two techniques to stabilize the camera are then described. The first method stabilizes the phase difference between the synchroscan signal and the deflection plate voltage. The second uses a laser reference trace on the phosphor screen and a digital data processing technique to reach the ultimate stability. The results show that a stabilized camera can be used immediately after it is turned on (due to suppression of the warm-up time) and still has very good temporal resolution even with a long-time exposure (2.4 ps full width at half maximum with a time exposure of 2 h has been achieved). This allows more exploration in the detection of very weak signals.