Multi-anode Photomultiplier Tube Research Articles

Characterisation and magnetic field properties of multianode photomultiplier tubes

We report on studies of the Hamamatsu model R11265 Multianode Photomultiplier as part of the effort to qualify their use in the upgrade of the LHCb Ring Imaging Cherenkov Detectors. Comparisons with the known model R7600 are also made. Of particular interest is the behaviour of the MaPMT in magnetic fields comparable to the residual fringe field of the LHCb bending magnet ranging up to 25Gauss.

Wavelength shifting films on multianode PMTs with UV-extended window for the CBM RICH detector

Electron identification in the Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) experiment at the future Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) will be performed using a gaseous RICH detector. Due to the UV transparency of the CO2 radiator, a high photon detection efficiency of the PMTs in use at small wavelengths is favourable. The use of wavelength shifting (WLS) films aims at increasing the integral quantum efficiency of the photon sensors. WLS films absorb UV photons and re-emit photons at longer wavelengths where the quantum efficiency of common photocathodes is higher. As photon sensors, multianode PMTs (MAPMTs) with bialkali or superbialkali photocathodes and UV-extended windows are envisaged. We present quantum efficiency measurements with and without WLS coating for different types of MAPMTs as well as results from a beam test at the CERN PS. An increased photon yield was observed when using WLS films. In addition, we discuss the effect of WLS films on the spatial resolution of MAPMTs.

Development of TUS pinhole cameras for observing transient luminous events from space and establishing role of those events as a background for ultra-high-energy cosmic-ray measurements

The TUS (tracking ultraviolet setup) experiment is intended for the observation from space of ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence induced both by ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) with energies above 5 × 1019 eV and by transient luminous events (TLEs) occurring in the upper atmosphere. These two types of events are very different in terms of duration, lateral shape, and intensity; thus, each behaves as a background for the other. The TUS is equipped with two conventional pinhole cameras as auxiliary instrumentation to detect and efficiently distinguish TLEs from UHECRs. Each pinhole camera contains a MAPMT (multi-anode photo-multiplier tube) and its associated analog and digital electronics. The R11265-03-M64 MAPMT has been custom-made for space applications by Hamamatsu Photonics, particularly for the future EUSO (Extreme Universe Space Observatory) UHECR space mission. Thus, the TUS pinhole system will be the test bench for the deployment in space of a large number, ∼5000, of MAPMTs. In this study, we present the design and fabrication of the pinhole cameras, and we estimate the detectability of TLEs with respect to atmospheric light background.

The data processor of the EUSO-Balloon experiment

The JEM-EUSO instrument is a wide-angle refractive telescope in near-ultraviolet wavelength region being proposed for attachment to the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) onboard International Space Station (ISS). The main scientific goal of the mission is the study of Extreme Energy Cosmic Rays (EECR) above 5 × 1019 eV. The instrument consists of high transmittance optical Fresnel lenses with a diameter of 2.5 m, a focal surface covered by ∼ 5000 Multi Anode Photo Multiplier Tubes of 64 pixels, front-end readout, trigger and system electronics.The EUSO-Balloon experiment is a pathfinder mission in which a telescope of smaller dimension than the one designed for the ISS will be mounted onboard a stratospheric balloon. The main objective of this pathfinder mission, planned for 2014, is to perform a full scale end-to-end test of all the key technologies and instrumentation of JEM-EUSO detectors and to prove the global detection chain. Furthermore, EUSO-Balloon will measure the atmospheric and terrestrial UV background components, in different observational modes, fundamental for the development of the simulations. Through a series of stratospheric balloon flights performed by the French Space Agency CNES, EUSO-Balloon also has the potential to detect Extensive Air Showers from above, paving the way for any future large scale, space-based EECR observatory.In this paper we will present the Data Processor (DP) of EUSO-Balloon, which is the component of the Electronics System which performs the data management and the instrument control. More in detail, the DP controls the front-end electronics, performs the 2nd level trigger filtering, tags events with arrival time and payload position through a GPS system, manages the Mass Memory for data storage, measures live and dead time of the telescope, provides signals for time synchronization of the event, performs housekeeping monitor, and handles the interface to the telemetry system. The DP has to operate at high altitude in unpressurized environment, and this represents a technological challenge for heat dissipation. We will describe the main components of the system, the state-of-the-art and the results of the tests carried out.

A new neutron detector with a high position resolution for the study of the (p,pn) reaction on rare isotopes

We are developing a neutron detector with a position resolution better than 3 mm to study the single particle properties of nuclei by the knockout ( p , pn ) reaction at intermediate energies. We constructed a prototype detector consisting of scintillating fibers and multi-anode photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). A test experiment using 70-MeV proton and 68- and 50-MeV neutron was performed for characterizing its performance. In preliminary results, a position resolution of about 3 mm, is realized, as designed. The resulting separation-energy resolution would be 1 MeV, when using this system at a distance of 2 m from the target for measuring the ( p , pn ) reaction.

Studies of single-photoelectron response and of performance in magnetic field of a H8500C-03 photomultiplier tube

We studied the single-photoelectron detection capabilities of a multianode photomultiplier tube H8500C-03 and its performance in high magnetic field. Our resultsshow that the device can readily resolve signals at the singlephotoelectron level making it suitable for photon detection in boththreshold and ring imaging Cherenkov detectors. We also found that alarge longitudinal magnetic field, up to 300 Gauss, induces a changein the relative output of at most 55% for an edge pixel, and of atmost 15% for a central pixel. The H8500C-03 signal loss intransverse magnetic fields it is significantly more pronounced thanfor the longitudinal case. Our studies of single photoelectronreduction in magnetic fields point to the field induced misfocusing ofthe photoelectron extracted from the photocathode as primary cause ofsignal loss. With appropriate shielding this PMT could function inhigh magnetic field environments.

A ring imaging Cherenkov detector for CLAS12

The energy increase of Jefferson Lab's Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) to 12GeV promises to greatly extend the physics reach of its experiments. This will include an upgrade of the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) to CLAS12, offering unique possibilities to study internal nucleon dynamics. For this excellent hadron identification over the full kinematical range of 3–8GeV/c is essential. This will be achieved by the installation of a Ring Imaging CHerenkov (RICH) detector. A novel hybrid imaging design incorporating mirrors, aerogel radiators and Hamamatsu H8500 multianode photomultiplier tubes is proposed. Depending on the incident particle track angle, Cherenkov light will either be imaged directly or after two reflections and passes through the aerogel. The detector design is described, along with preliminary results on individual detector components tests and from recent testbeam studies.

ALBIRA: A small animal PET/SPECT/CT imaging system

The authors have developed a trimodal PET∕SPECT∕CT scanner for small animal imaging. The gamma ray subsystems are based on monolithic crystals coupled to multianode photomultiplier tubes (MA-PMTs), while computed tomography (CT) comprises a commercially available microfocus x-ray tube and a CsI scintillator 2D pixelated flat panel x-ray detector. In this study the authors will report on the design and performance evaluation of the multimodal system. X-ray transmission measurements are performed based on cone-beam geometry. Individual projections were acquired by rotating the x-ray tube and the 2D flat panel detector, thus making possible a transaxial field of view (FOV) of roughly 80 mm in diameter and an axial FOV of 65 mm for the CT system. The single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) component has a dual head detector geometry mounted on a rotating gantry. The distance between the SPECT module detectors can be varied in order to optimize specific user requirements, including variable FOV. The positron emission tomography (PET) system is made up of eight compact modules forming an octagon with an axial FOV of 40 mm and a transaxial FOV of 80 mm in diameter. The main CT image quality parameters (spatial resolution and uniformity) have been determined. In the case of the SPECT, the tomographic spatial resolution and system sensitivity have been evaluated with a (99m)Tc solution using single-pinhole and multi-pinhole collimators. PET and SPECT images were reconstructed using three-dimensional (3D) maximum likelihood and ordered subset expectation maximization (MLEM and OSEM) algorithms developed by the authors, whereas the CT images were obtained using a 3D based FBP algorithm. CT spatial resolution was 85 μm while a uniformity of 2.7% was obtained for a water filled phantom at 45 kV. The SPECT spatial resolution was better than 0.8 mm measured with a Derenzo-like phantom for a FOV of 20 mm using a 1-mm pinhole aperture collimator. The full width at half-maximum PET radial spatial resolution at the center of the field of view was 1.55 mm. The SPECT system sensitivity for a FOV of 20 mm and 15% energy window was 700 cps∕MBq (7.8 × 10(-2)%) using a multi-pinhole equipped with five apertures 1 mm in diameter, whereas the PET absolute sensitivity was 2% for a 350-650 keV energy window and a 5 ns timing window. Several animal images are also presented. The new small animal PET∕SPECT∕CT proposed here exhibits high performance, producing high-quality images suitable for studies with small animals. Monolithic design for PET and SPECT scintillator crystals reduces cost and complexity without significant performance degradation.

The Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector for the CBM-Experiment

The mission of the future Compressed Baryonic Matter experiment, to be operated at the FAIR facility at GSI, Darmstadt, is the exploration of the properties of super-dense nuclear matter. In particular, the search for in-medium modifications of hadrons, the study of the transition from dense hadronic matter to quark-gluon matter, and the location of a critical endpoint in the phase diagram of strongly interacting matter are the principal physics goals of CBM. Detailed measurements of di-leptons and open charm probes are hoped to shed light to the existence of such effects.The Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector of CBM aims at a clean and efficient electron identification. It is foreseen to have CO2 as radiator gas and to be equipped with Hamamatsu multi-anode photomultiplier tubes. Herewith we present selected results of R&D studies and beam test measurements of the RICH prototype performed in October 2011 at the CERN/PS with negatively charged particles.

Continuous depth-of-interaction measurement in a single-layer pixelated crystal array using a single-ended readout

We propose a depth-of-interaction (DOI)-encoding method to extract continuous DOI information using a single-layer scintillation crystal array with single-ended readout for cost-effective high-resolution positron emission tomography (PET). DOI information is estimated by different light dispersions along the x- and y-directions tailored by the geometric shape of reflectors around the crystals. The detector module comprised a 22 × 22 array of unpolished LGSO crystals (2.0 × 2.0 × 20 mm3). A multi-anode photomultiplier tube with 64 anodes measured light dispersion in the crystal array. Gain non-uniformity of each anode was corrected by an analogue gain compensation circuit. DOI information was determined from peaks in the x and y anode-signal distributions normalized by the total energy of the distribution. Average DOI resolution (full width at half maximum, FWHM) over all crystals and depths was estimated to be 4.2 mm. Average energy resolution from the 2 to 18 mm DOI positions was 11.3% ± 0.79%, with 13% difference in photo-peak positions. Average time resolutions (FWHM) were 320–356 ps. Energy, time and DOI resolutions were uniform over all crystal positions except at the array's edge. This DOI-PET detector shows promise for applications that require high resolution and sensitivity at low cost.

Characterization of a Hamamatsu R7600 multi-anode photomultiplier tube with single photon signals

The characterization of the single photon response of the Hamamatsu R7600 multi-anode photomultiplier tube (MaPMT) is presented, in view of a possible application in Ring Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) detectors and high rate single photon counting applications in general. For most of the measurements the main source of single photons was a commercial blue LED biased with a small current of a few nA. The spectra obtained with this source match those obtained with Cherenkov light from a PbF2 crystal illuminated with a 22Na gamma source, confirming that the test signals are single photons. Dark current and cross-talk were measured at the single photoelectron level. The single photon response of the PMT was also studied as a function of the bias ratio between dynodes. The sensitivity to magnetic field up to 30 G and the effectiveness of three magnetic shields with different geometries were evaluated. Gain loss due to aging was also studied up to 2000 hours of operation at high counting rate.

Standoff Laser-Induced Fluorescence Sensors for Biological Warfare Agents

ABSTRACT We report comparison studies of two different sensors, the gated intensified charge-coupled device and the multianode photo multiplier tube detector for standoff detection of bio-aerosol. The ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence technique is considered. Ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence signals are evaluated under different bacteria aerosol concentrations, ranges, atmospheric conditions, and solar backgrounds. The signal-to-noise ratio is calculated for both the detectors for daylight and twilight solar conditions. The detectable concentration and range for both of the detectors is evaluated. Standoff ultraviolet laser-induced light detection and ranging is applicable in homeland security for early warning of biological warfare agents.

A Front-End electronics board for single photo-electron timing and charge from MaPMT

A Front-End (FE) design based on commercial operational amplifiers has been developed to read-out signals from a Multianode PhotoMultiplier Tube (MaPMT). The overall design has been optimised for single photo-electron signal from the Hamamatsu H8500. The signal is collected by a current sensitive preamplifier and then it is fed into both a ECL fast discriminator and a shaper for analog output readout in differential mode. The analog signal and the digital gates are then registered on VME ADC and TDC modules respectively. Performances in terms of linearity, gain and timing resolution will be discussed, presenting results obtained on a test bench with differentiated step voltage inputs and also with a prototype electronic board plugged into the H8500 PMT illuminated by a picosecond laser.

Design, Construction and Performance of the Detector for UFFO Burst Alert & Trigger Telescope

One of the key aspects of the upcoming Ultra-Fast Flash Observatory (UFFO) pathfinder for Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) identification is the UFFO Burst Alert & Trigger Telescope (UBAT). The scientific propose of UBAT is to detect and locate as fast as possible the GRBs in the sky. This is achieved by using a coded mask aperture camera scheme with a wide field of view (FOV) and selecting a X-ray detector of high quantum efficiency and large detection area. This X-ray detector of high quantum efficiency and large detection area is called the UBAT detector. The UBAT detector consists of 48 × 48 Yttrium Oxyorthosilicate (YSO) scintillator crystal arrays and Multi Anode Photomultiplier Tubes (MAPMTs), analog electronics equipped with ASIC chips, digital electronics equipped with Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) chips, and a mechanical structure that supports all components of the UBAT detector. The total number of the pixels in the UBAT detector is 2304, and the total effective detection area is 191 cm2 . We will present the design and construction, and performance of the UBAT detector including the responses of the UBAT detector to X-ray sources.

New optics for resolution improving of Ring Imaging Cherenkov detectors

The Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector (RICH) of the COMPASS experiment at CERN is key tool for particle identification. Two reflecting spherical mirror surfaces, covering a total area of about 21 m2 hosted in the radiator vessel, provide Cherenkov radiation focusing to photon detectors. These ones are based on the use of multi-anode photo-multiplier tubes. They are coupled to individual lens telescopes, made from special fused silica aspherical lenses. Design, construction, and Hartmann test of lenses qualities and alignment were described. The RICH detector uses C4F10 as radiator gas. The refractive index of the radiator gas is substantial parameter. It varies with temperature, atmospheric pressure and gas purity. Its accurate knowledge is essential for the particle identification performance. A modified Jamin’s interferometer was proposed, constructed and tested to allow on-line refractive index measurement with accuracy better than 10-6 The new types of fused silica Cherenkov radiators was designed to the tests of electron multiplier detector too.

Very fast front end ASIC associated with multi-anode PMTs for a scintillating-fibre beam hodoscope

For developing a scintillating-fibre beam monitor, wehave designed a front-end 16-Channel readout chip (version 2) to beassociated with Multi-anode photomultipliers Ma-PMTs (Hamamatsu H8500) in a0.35 μm BiCMOS process. Each channel of the ASIC consists of one inputcurrent conveyor driving separately a current comparator for signal eventdetection and a charge-sensitive amplifier (CSA) for signal chargemeasurement. The ASIC has brought significant improvements compared to itsprevious version: larger input dynamic range (53 dB against 33 dB), lowerpower consumption (11 mW/channel instead of 22 mW/channel under a 3.3-Vsupply), lower noise (4 fC versus 19 fC in Equivalent input Noise Charge, orENC) and a better phase margin for optimizing stability and speed. Thisdedicated chip had been used in a beam test at HIT (Heidelberg Ion-BeamTherapy Center). System testing has shown achievements of 1 mm spatialresolution (size of the scintillating fibers) and a 4 MHz count rate. Themain limitation comes from the Ma-PMTs which saturates at such a frequency.The ASIC operates normally with satisfied performances.

Study of a position-sensitive scintillator neutron detector

The investigation of a novel thermal neutron detector is developed to fulfill the requirements of the high intensity power diffractometer (HIPD) at the Chinese Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). It consists of two layers of 6LiF/ZnS(Ag) scintillators, two layers of crossed WLSF arrays, several multi-anode photo multiplier tubes (MA-PMT), and the matching readout electronics. The neutron detection efficiency of the scintilltors, the light transportation ability of the WLSF, and the spatial linearity of the readout electronics are measured and discussed in this paper. It shows that the sandwich structure and the compact readout electronics could fulfill the needs of the HIPD. A prototype with a 10 cm×10 cm sensitive area has been constructed to further study the characteristics of the neutron scintillator detector.

CLARO-CMOS, a very low power ASIC for fast photon counting with pixellated photodetectors

The CLARO-CMOS is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designed for fast photon counting with pixellated photodetectors such as multi-anode photomultiplier tubes (Ma-PMT), micro-channel plates (MCP), and silicon photomultipliers (SiPM). The first prototype has four channels, each with a charge sensitive amplifier with settable gain and a discriminator with settable threshold, providing fast hit information for each channel independently. The design was realized in a long-established, stable and inexpensive 0.35 μm CMOS technology, and provides outstanding performance in terms of speed and power dissipation. The prototype consumes less than 1 mW per channel at low rate, and less than 2 mW at an event rate of 10 MHz per channel. The recovery time after each pulse is less than 25 ns for input signals within a factor of 10 above threshold. Input referred RMS noise is about 7.7 ke− (1.2 fC) with an input capacitance of 3.3 pF. With this value of input capacitance a timing resolution down to 10 ps RMS was measured for pulser signals of a few million electrons, corresponding to the single photon response for these detectors.

Event Processing for Modular Gamma Cameras with Tiled Multi-Anode Photomultiplier Tubes.

Multi-anode photomultiplier tubes (MAPMTs) are good candidates as light sensors for a new generation of modular scintillation cameras for Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and Positron emission tomography (PET) applications. MAPMTs can provide improved intrinsic spatial resolution (<1mm) compared to arrays of larger individual PMTs due to their small anode sizes, and the increased number of channels also allows accurate estimation of depth-of-interaction (DOI). However, the area of a single MAPMT module is small for a modular gamma camera, so we are designing read-out electronics that will allow multiple individual MAPMT modules to be optically coupled to a single monolithic scintillator crystal. In order to allow such flexibility, the read-out electronics, which we refer to as the event processor, must be compact and adaptable. In combining arrays of MAPMTs, which may each have 64 to 1024 anodes per unit, issues need to be overcome with amplifying, digitizing, and recording potentially very large numbers of channels per gamma-ray event. In this study, we have investigated different event-processor strategies for gamma cameras with multiple MAPMTs that will employ maximum-likelihood (ML) methods for estimation of 3D spatial location, deposited energy and time of occurrence of events. We simulated anode signals for hypothetical gamma-camera geometries based on models of the stochastic processes inherent in scintillation cameras. The comparison between different triggering and read-out schemes was carried out by quantifying the information content in the anode signals via the Fisher Information Matrix (FIM). We observed that a decline in spatial resolution at the edges of the individual MAPMTs could be improved by the inclusion of neighboring MAPMT anode signals for events near the tiling boundaries. Thus in order to maintain spatial resolution uniformity throughout the modular camera face, we propose dividing an MAPMT's array of anode signals into regions such to help determine when triggers from one MAPMT need to be passed to a neighboring MAPMT so that it can contribute anode information for events between them.

Real‐time scintillation array dosimetry for radiotherapy: The advantages of photomultiplier detectors

In this paper, a photomultiplier tube (PMT) array dosimetry system has been developed and tested for the real-time readout of multiple scintillation signals from fiber optic dosimeters. It provides array dosimetry with the advantages in sensitivity provided by a PMT, but without the need for a separate PMT for each detector element. The PMT array system consisted of a multianode PMT, a multichannel data acquisition system, housing and optic fiber connections suitable for clinical use. The reproducibility, channel uniformity, channel crosstalk, acquisition speed, and sensitivity of the PMT array were quantified using a constant light source. Its performance was compared to other readout systems used in scintillation dosimetry. An in vivo HDR brachytherapy treatment was used as an example of a clinical application of the dosimetry system to the measurement of dose at multiple sites in the rectum. The PMT array system was also tested in the pulsed beam of a linear accelerator to test its response speed and its application with two separate methods of Cerenkov background removal. The PMT array dosimetry system was highly reproducible with a measurement uncertainty of 0.13% for a 10 s acquisition period. Optical crosstalk between neighboring channels was accounted for by omitting every second channel. A mathematical procedure was used to account for the crosstalk in next-neighbor channels. The speed and sensitivity of the PMT array system were found be superior to CCD cameras, allowing for measurement of more rapid changes in dose rate. This was further demonstrated by measuring the dose delivered by individual photon pulses of a linear accelerator beam. The PMT array system has advantages over CCD camera-based systems for the readout of scintillation light. It provided a more sensitive, more accurate, and faster response to meet the demands of future developments in treatment delivery.