Microchannel Plate Research Articles

Development of a portable time-of-flight mass spectrometer prototype using a cold electron source.

Fundamental obstacles toward the development of a portable time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF MS) are ionization sources and vacuum systems. To overcome these, a cold electron source (CES) and a pulse valve are introduced in this study to examine the possibility of developing a portable TOF MS. The CES is developed using a microchannel plate electron multiplier radiated by ultraviolet photons from a light-emitting diode. The CES is controlled using short pulses to generate accelerated electrons that ionize a substrate surface. A 10ns CES pulse produces an electron flux density of 1013 to 1014m-2 on the surface, and the short pulse minimizes the ionization time such that the resolution limit associated with a short drift tube is overcome. In addition, the injected 0.05m3 quantitative sample reduces the vacuum exhaust load, and simultaneously, it is possible to temporarily form layers of the target molecules on the substrate. The possibility of immediate measurement by directly injecting benzene at ambient pressure was verified through repeated measurements; therefore, it is technically possible to use a CES to allow for a highly compact (and portable) TOF MS.

Wafer-Level Filling of MEMS Vapor Cells Based on Chemical Reaction and Evaporation.

Micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) vapor cells are key components for sensors such as chip-scale atomic clocks (CSACs) and magnetometers (CSAMs). Many approaches have been proposed to fabricate MEMS vapor cells. In this article, we propose a new method to fabricate wafer-level filling of MEMS vapor cells based on chemical reaction and evaporation. The Cs metals are firstly obtained through the chemical reaction between cesium chloride and barium azide in a reservoir baseplate. Then, the Cs metals are evaporated to the preform through the microchannel plate and condensed on the inner glass surface of the preform. Lastly, the MEMS vapor cells are filled with buffer gas, sealed by anodic bonding, and mechanically diced into three dimensions: 5 mm × 5 mm × 1.2 mm, 4 mm × 4 mm × 1.2 mm, and 3 mm × 3 mm × 1.2 mm. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) linewidth of the coherent population trapping (CPT) signal of the MEMS vapor cells is found to be 4.33 kHz. The intrinsic linewidth is about 1638 Hz. Based on the CPT signal, the frequency stability is 4.41 × 10−12@1000 s. The results demonstrate that the presented method of the wafer-level filling of MEMS vapor cells fulfills the requirements of sensors such as CSACs.

Development of an MCP-Based Timing Layer for the LHCb ECAL Upgrade-2

The increase in instantaneous luminosity during the high-luminosity phase of the LHC represents a significant challenge for future detectors. A strategy to cope with high-pileup conditions is to add a fourth dimension to the measurements of the hits, by exploiting the time separation of the various proton–proton primary collisions. According to LHCb simulation studies, resolutions of about 10–20 picoseconds, at least an order of magnitude shorter than the average time span between primary interactions, would be greatly beneficial for the physics reach of the experiment. Microchannel plate (MCP) photomultipliers are compact devices capable of measuring the arrival time of charged particles with the required resolution. The technology of large-area picosecond photodetectors (LAPPDs) is under investigation to implement a timing layer that can be placed within a sampling calorimeter module with the purpose of measuring the arrival time of electromagnetic showers. LAPPD performances, using a Gen-I tile with a delay-line anode and a Gen-II with a capacitively coupled anode, have been measured thoroughly both with laser (wavelength of 405 nm and pulse width of 27.5 ps FWHM) and high-energy electron (1–5.8 GeV) beams. Time resolutions of the order of 30 ps for single photoelectrons and 15 ps for electromagnetic showers initiated by 5-GeV electrons, as measured at the shower maximum, are obtained.

Synchrotron radiation transmission by two coupled flat microchannel plates: new opportunities to control the focal spot characteristics.

An improved theoretical model to calculate the focal spot properties of coherent synchrotron radiation (SR) soft X-ray beams by combining and aligning two microchannel plates (MCPs) is presented. The diffraction patterns of the radiation behind the MCP system are simulated in the framework of the electrodynamical model of the radiation emission from two-dimensional finite antenna arrays. Simulations show that this particular optical device focuses the soft X-ray radiation in a circular central spot with a radius of ∼4 µm. The study points out that such MCP-based devices may achieve micrometre and sub-micrometre spot sizes as required by many applications in the soft X-ray range. Finally, based on experimental and theoretical results of the radiation transmission by this MCP-based device, a new method to characterize the spatial properties of brilliant SR sources is discussed.

Method of compensating for time measurement error of photomultiplier tube

In order to improve the temporal resolution of photomultiplier tubes, our research group has conducted the in-depth research on photomultiplier tubes based on microchannel plates that are widely used at present. The time resolution of photomultiplier tube based on microchannel plate is limited by the transit time of photoelectric signal in each part, including the transit time of photoelectric signal in the transmission process of photocathode to microchannel plate, the transit time of photoelectric signal in microchannel plate time, the transit time of the photoelectric signal from the microchannel plate to the detector anode, and the transit time of the photoelectric signal on the anode to the electrode port. The transit time of the whole process has a certain degree of influence on the time information measurement of the optoelectronic signal. In this study, various parameters affecting the time resolution of the photomultiplier tube are analyzed, and it is found that the different positions of the photoelectron signal on the anode will bring errors to the measurement of the arrival time of the signal at the anode, and the photoelectric signal is transmitted to the electrode port at the affected point of the anode The spent time will cause the signal measurement time to lag behind the real time, which indirectly affects the time resolution of the system. Therefore, a specific study is carried out on the time measurement error of the signal on the anode, and it is determined that the difference of the photoelectron signal on the anode position is an important factor causing the signal time measurement error, and a simple and effective method of compensating for error is proposed. In the research process, the delay line anode is used, and the positional resolution principle of the photoelectric signal is used to obtain the position information of the photoelectron signal on the anode, and the position information is converted into the time information transmitted from the position to the electrode port. The theoretical value of the transit time on the anode is offset, eliminating unnecessary time in the time-of-arrival measurement of the photoelectron signal. The time measurement error of the optoelectronic signal is compensated for by this time information. The experimental results show that the error compensation method can effectively improve the time measurement accuracy of optoelectronic signals, and provide solutions and theoretical basis for improving the time resolution of photomultiplier tubes based on microchannel plates.

Design of MIRA, a low-noise pixelated ASIC for the readout of micro-channel plates

We present the design of the first prototype of MIRA (MIcro-channel plate Readout ASIC) that has been designed to read out Micro-Channel Plates (MCP), in particular for UV spectroscopy. MIRA will be able to detect the cloud of electrons generated by each photon interacting with the MCP, sustaining high local and global count rates to fully exploit the MCP intrinsic dynamic range with low dead time. The main rationale that guided the electronics design is the reduction of the input Equivalent Noise Charge (ENC) in order to allow operations with lower MCP gain, thus improving its lifetime, crucial aspect for long missions in space. MIRA features two selectable analog processing times, 133 ns or 280 ns (i.e. fast mode or slow mode), granting a count rate per pixel of 100 kcps. Moreover, it shows an Equivalent Noise Charge ENC . A spatial resolution of 35 μm and an operation with zero dead time, due to the readout, are targeted. The low noise, high count rate and high spatial resolution requirements are expected by keeping a compact pixel size (35 μm × 35 μm) for a total of 32 × 32 pixels in a 2 mm × 2 mm ASIC area. In this work, the ASIC design is described.

A resistive-anode based position-sensitive Rydberg atom detector.

We describe here the development and characterization of a position-sensitive detector for Rydberg atom experiments. The detector builds on an earlier design that field-ionized incident Rydberg positronium (Ps) atoms and then electrostatically focused the freed positrons onto a micro-channel plate (MCP) detector without the use of a position sensitive anode. In this design, pulses from the MCP are deposited onto a resistive anode, providing a means of measuring the incident particles' x, y positions. The first detector constructed utilized a pair of MCPs in a chevron configuration and was used to observe the focusing of Rydberg Ps atoms from an electrostatic mirror. A second detector, developed for use in a measurement of the 1S-2S interval of Ps, incorporates three MCPs in a Z-stack configuration to produce larger pulses. Using a UV-induced signal, we have characterized the performance of the assembled detectors, finding a spatial resolution of ∼1.4 mm for the largest induced pulses and for pulse widths of ∼7-10ns FWHM; pulse times can be resolved to better than 1ns. The Ps induced signal is anticipated to yield pulses ∼5 times larger, which are expected to achieve a spatial resolution of <1 mm. Appropriate lenses could make possible applications involving either imaging a large area or magnifying a small area of the incident Ps spatial distribution.

Исследование процессов считывания изображений тепловых объектов приемником, выполненным в архитектуре электронно-оптического преобразователя

The results of calculations of electric fields, potentials, and trajectories of photoelectrons of the reading node of the receiver of images of thermal objects with the electron-optical converter architecture are presented. The values of the optimal potentials on the control electrodes (microchannel plate, reading electrode, and photocathode) that form a picture of the images of objects and ensure the correct reading of the potential relief from the surface of the sensor-converter pyroelectric film of the image receiver under discussion are determined

An investigation of reading thermal images processes by a thermal image receiver made in the image intensifier tube architecture

The results of calculations of electric fields, potentials, and trajectories of photoelectrons calculations of single-channel dual-spectral thermal imager, implemented in the IIT architecture are presented. The values of the optimal potentials on the control electrodes (microchannel plate, reading electrode, and photocathode) that form a picture of the images of objects and ensure the correct reading of the potential relief from the surface of the sensor-converter pyroelectric film of the image thermal receiver under discussion are determined. Keywords: image intensifier tube, spontaneous polarization, a pyroelectric sensor, photocathode, photoelectronic emission, thermal object image receiver, secondary electron emission.

A study of the effects of the micro-channel cold plate on the cooling performance of battery thermal management systems

Li-ion batteries are widely used in electric vehicles for their superior performance. To investigate a simple and efficient method for the Li-ion power batteries, the cold plate with four types of structures A, B, C, and D were established, respectively. Subsequently, the effects of micro-channel thickness and width on the cooling performance of battery thermal management systems were analyzed by using a numerical simulation method. The results show that with the increases of the micro-channel thickness, the maximum temperature (Tmax) of the cold plate is gradually increased under structures A, B, and C, while it is gradually decreased under structure D. The standard deviation of temperature (T?) of the cold plate of structure A was less affected by the change of the micro-channel thickness. Under structures B, C, and D, the temperature uniformity of the cold plate can be well maintained when the micro-channel thickness was 1.0 [mm]. With the increase of the micro-channel width, the Tmax and T? of the cold plate are gradually increased in all cases, while the ?P from the inlet to outlet is gradually decreased. The temperature uniformity of the cold plate is well maintained by structure C. The decreasing amount and changing range of ?P caused by the change of micro-channel width is smaller than caused by the change of the thickness.

Influence of input electrode of micro-channel plate on opening area ratio and its improvement

微通道板作为一种关键的电子倍增器件，广泛应用于诸多领域。分析了NiCr膜层作为微通道板的输入端电极时，对微通道板开口面积比的影响，建立了理论模型，计算了膜层厚度、镀膜深度等参数对开口面积比的影响。开展了2种减小开口面积比损失的镀膜研究：一是进行工艺调整，减弱合金蒸发的分馏效应，降低电极膜层的电阻率，开口面积比损失量降低约2个百分点；二是改变镀膜方式，使用Ni、Cr金属单质镀制叠层薄膜，在镀膜过程中调控镍、铬的比例，将输入端电极中镍比例升高，同样可以降低电极膜层的电阻率，在满足面电阻要求的前提下，可减薄输入端膜层至86 nm，与300 nm厚度的常规镍铬合金膜层相比，MCP输入端的开口面积比损失量降低3~4个百分点，MCP增益提升6%。

Specialized mass spectrometer for determining the isotopic composition of lithium by ERIAD (electrospray with in source atomization)

A specialized isotope mass spectrometer for determining the isotopic ratio of lithium by ERIAD (electrospray with atomization in an ion source) is described. The device uses a Mattuha-Herzog-type mass analyzer with double focusing to use ion beams with a large spread in energy and simultaneous registration of signals of both lithium isotopes (6Li and 7Li), and a two-channel receiver based on a doublet of microchannel plates. The gas-dynamic interface is built according to the Kontorowitz-Gray scheme; from the gas-dynamic point of view, it is "long", that is, the distance between the nozzle and the skimmer is 4 times the size of the "Mach barrel" at the operating pressure (200 Pa). The device is desktop, its weight does not exceed 20 kg. The measurement time is 1000 s, sample replacement time is 100 s, measurement accuracy is ~ 0.1%. Keywords: mass spectrometry, electrospray, ion source, isotopes of lithium.

Halo-based black point detection method of microchannel plate

摘要: 根据微通道板黑点检测原理与黑点光晕特征设计了一种检测方法，该方法利用圆提取技术实现荧光屏图像的半径和圆心提取，通过高斯拉普拉斯算子实现目标黑点粗检测。基于黑点在不同电压下外围呈现光晕的特征，利用对比度受限的直方图均衡化并结合阈值分割的光晕检测法实现黑点光晕的提取。测试结果表明，该方法可以将荧光屏划痕、灰尘与微通道板黑点有效区分，从而实现黑点的自动提取。 关键词: 微通道板 / 目视性能 / 疵病检测 / 光晕检测 / 阈值分割

Beam particle identification and tagging of incompletely stripped heavy beams with HEIST.

A challenge preventing successful inverse kinematics measurements with heavy nuclei that are not fully stripped is identifying and tagging the beam particles. For this purpose, the HEavy ISotope Tagger (HEIST) has been developed. HEIST utilizes two micro-channel plate timing detectors to measure the time-of-flight, a multi-sampling ion chamber to measure energy loss, and a high-purity germanium detector to identify isomer decays and calibrate the isotope identification system. HEIST has successfully identified 198Pb and other nearby nuclei at energies of about 75 MeV/A. In the experiment discussed, a typical cut containing 89% of all 198Pb80+ in the beam had a purity of 86%. We examine the issues of charge state contamination. The observed charge state populations of these ions are presented and, using an adjusted beam energy, are well described by the charge state model GLOBAL.

Research and development of 20-inch PMT uniformity scanning platform

North Night Vision Tech. Ltd.(NNVT) supplied 15,000 pieces of 20-inch Microchannel plate photomultiplier tubes (MCP-PMTs) with high detective efficiency and light detection coverage for Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) experiment for neutrino detection. The uniformity of the large-area PMT is a very important parameters, it directly affects the detective efficiency when the light illuminates on the PMT photocathode. The performances including the uniformity of the MCP-PMTs should be tested carefully before transaction and transportation in NNVT. Therefore a facility with high test efficiency and high automation is necessary to be designed and constructed to monitor the uniformity of 20-inch MCP-PMTs. In this paper, we describe and compare three development stages and methods of the uniformity scanning platform and the uniformity result of all MCP-PMTs are presented.

Absolute efficiency of a two-stage microchannel plate for electrons in the 30–900 eV energy range

We report on an apparatus able to measure the absolute detection efficiency of a detector for electrons in the 30–900 eV range. In particular, we discuss the characterisation of a two-stage chevron microchannel plate (MCP). The measurements have been performed in the LASEC laboratory at Roma Tre University, whit a custom-made electron gun. The very good stability of the beam current in the fA range, together with the picoammeter nominal resolution of 0.01 fA, allowed the measurement of the MCP absolute efficiency ε. We found an with no evident energy dependence. We fully characterised the MCP pulse shape distribution, which is quasi-Gaussian with a well visible peak above the noise level. We measured a 68 variation of the average pulse height between 30 and 500 eV. Furthermore, with a deeper analysis of the pulse shape, and in particular of the correlation between pulse height, area and width, we found a method to discriminate single- and multi- electron events occurring within a 10 ns time window.

Numerical Simulation Study on Gain Nonlinearity of Microchannel Plate in Photomultiplier Tube

Microchannel plate-photomultiplier tubes (MCP-PMTs) with high dynamic ranges and strong outputs are still challenges for the future inertial confinement fusion (ICF) studies, aiming at detecting the large-scale intensities of the radiation pulses. In this article, to investigate the influence factors of the gain nonlinearity causing high-linearity limits of the MCP-PMTs, 3-D microchannel plate (MCP) channel models were built in computer simulation technology (CST) Particle Studio. The Monte Carlo and particle-in-cell methods were carried out to simulate the electron cascade processes in the channels of the MCPs. The dependences of MCP gain nonlinearity on the number of incident electrons, operating voltage, and secondary electron emission (SEE) yield properties were studied. The gains obtained by the simulations for the conventional one-stage and two-stage MCPs are in good agreement with the available experimental data, which verifies the reliabilities of the 3-D MCP models. The simulation results show that the gain of the MCP single channel decreases as the number of incident electrons increases due to the space charge effects. The higher the operating voltage and SEE yield of the MCP, the faster the gain deteriorates. To mitigate the gain saturation effect of MCP single channels, a novel structural design of MCP-PMTs has been proposed by adjusting the design of the MCP chevron pair. A significant improvement in the output pulse peak can be obtained.

An experimental study of flow boiling heat transfer of zeotropic mixture R32/R134a in a microchannel heat exchanger

This paper presents experimental data on heat transfer of a binary zeotropic mixture of refrigerants R32/R134a in a microchannel heat exchanger with a high specific surface within a range of parameters that is practically important for the development of cooling systems for microelectronics and space technology. The experiments were carried out in a horizontal heat exchanger with one-sided heating of a copper microchannel plate 20x40 mm, containing 21 rectangular microchannels with a cross-section of 335x930 μm, within the range of mass fluxes from 80 to 250 kg/m2s, and at an absolute pressure in the system ranged from 12 to 14 bar. A zeotropic mixture of refrigerants R32/R134a with a molar concentration of the initial mixture of 65%/35% was used as a working fluid. Experimental data were compared with model-based calculations that take into account the influence of changes in the concentrations of components in the liquid and gas phases.

Characteristic properties of Planacon MCP-PMTs

A systematic investigation of Planacon MCP-PMTs was performed using 64 XP85002/ FIT-Q photosensors. These devices are equipped with microchannel plates of reduced resistance. Results of a study of their gain stability over time and saturation level in terms of the average anode current are presented. This information allows one to determine the lower limit of the MCP resistance for stable Planacon operation. The spread of the electron multiplication characteristics for the entire production batch is also presented, indicating the remarkably low voltage requirements of these MCP-PMTs. Detection efficiency and noise characteristics, such as dark count rate and afterpulsing level, are also reviewed.

20-inch photomultiplier tube timing study for JUNO

Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) is a large liquid scintillator neutrino detector now under construction at Jiangmen, Guangdong, China for determination of neutrino mass ordering with 3% energy resolution at 1 MeV, a precise measurement of neutrino oscillation parameters, and other neutrino physics. The central detector is made up of a 35.4-meter diameter acrylic sphere which contains 20 kton of liquid scintillator and is surrounded by about 18k 20-inch photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). The PMTs performance is one of the JUNO’s key successes to reach the high resolution goal. In this study, the PMT characteristic and its timing related responses were determined via the PMT generated signals, extracted from the PMT in a scanning station system. About 2,400 of micro-channel plate PMTs (MCP-PMTs) and dynode PMTs were analyzed for their responses with LED source such as rise time, fall time, transit time spread (TTS), gain, etc., which relate to photon incident on different positions of PMT’s glass surface. Furthermore, we also observed the fluctuation of PMT performance under magnetic field which can decrease the PMT photon detection efficiency (PDE).