Single Photomultiplier Tube Research Articles

Charge reconstruction in large-area photomultipliers

Large-area PhotoMultiplier Tubes (PMT) allow to efficiently instrument Liquid Scintillator (LS) neutrino detectors, where large target masses are pivotal to compensate for neutrinos' extremely elusive nature. Depending on the detector light yield, several scintillation photons stemming from the same neutrino interaction are likely to hit a single PMT in a few tens/hundreds of nanoseconds, resulting in several photoelectrons (PEs) to pile-up at the PMT anode. In such scenario, the signal generated by each PE is entangled to the others, and an accurate PMT charge reconstruction becomes challenging. This manuscript describes an experimental method able to address the PMT charge reconstruction in the case of large PE pile-up, providing an unbiased charge estimator at the permille level up to 15 detected PEs. The method is based on a signal filtering technique (Wiener filter) which suppresses the noise due to both PMT and readout electronics, and on a Fourier-based deconvolution able to minimize the influence of signal distortions—such as an overshoot. The analysis of simulated PMT waveforms shows that the slope of a linear regression modeling the relation between reconstructed and true charge values improves from 0.769 ± 0.001 (without deconvolution) to 0.989 ± 0.001 (with deconvolution), where unitary slope implies perfect reconstruction. A C++ implementation of the charge reconstruction algorithm is available online at [1].

Neutron detection using a water Cherenkov detector with pure water and a single PMT

We present the performance of a novel neutron detector based on a water Cherenkov detector (WCD) employing pure water and a single photomultiplier tube (PMT). The experiments presented in this work were performed using 241AmBe and 252Cf neutron sources in different neutron moderator and shielding configurations. We show that fast neutrons from the 241AmBe and 241Cf sources, as well as thermal neutrons from a neutron moderator, despite having different spectral characteristics, produce essentially the same pulse histogram shape. This characteristic pulse-height histogram shapes are recorded as a clear signature of neutrons with energies lower than ≃11MeV. This is verified in different experimental conditions. Our estimation of the neutron detection efficiency is at the level of (15±5)%, for fast neutrons. Since water is the material employed as active volume, the results of this study are of interest for the construction of low cost and large active volume neutron detectors for various applications. Of special importance are those related with space weather phenomena monitoring as well as those for the detection of fissile special nuclear material, including uranium or plutonium.

Experimental study of a compressive line sensing imaging system in a turbulent environment.

Turbulence poses challenges in many atmospheric and underwater surveillance applications. The compressive line sensing (CLS) active imaging scheme has been demonstrated in simulations and test tank experiments to be effective in scattering media such as turbid coastal water, fog, and mist. The CLS sensing model adopts the distributed compressive sensing theoretical framework that exploits both intrasignal sparsity and the highly correlated nature of adjacent areas in a natural scene. During sensing operation, the laser illuminates the spatial light modulator digital micromirror device to generate a series of one-dimensional binary sensing patterns from a codebook to encode the current target line segment. A single element detector photomultiplier tube acquires target reflections as the encoder output. The target can then be recovered using the encoder output and a predicted on-target codebook that reflects the environmental interference of original codebook entries. In this work, we investigated the effectiveness of the CLS imaging system in a turbulent environment. The development of a compact CLS prototype will be discussed, as will a series of experiments using various turbulence intensities at the Naval Research Lab's Simulated Turbulence and Turbidity Environment. The experimental results showed that the time-averaged measurements improved both the signal-to-noise radio and the resolution of the reconstructed image in the extreme turbulence environment. The contributing factors for this intriguing and promising result will be discussed.

Ultra-weak photon emission of hands in aging prediction

Aging has been one of the several topics intensely investigated during recent decades. More scientists have been scrutinizing mechanisms behind the human aging process. Ultra-weak photon emission is known as one type of spontaneous photon emission that can be detected with a highly sensitive single photon counting photomultiplier tube (PMT) from the surface of human bodies. It may reflect the body's oxidative damage. Our aim was to examine whether ultra-weak photon emission from a human hand is able to predict one's chronological age. Sixty subjects were recruited and grouped by age. We examined four areas of each hand: palm side of fingers, palm side of hand, dorsum side of fingers, and dorsum side of hand. Left and right hand were measured synchronously with two independent PMTs. Mean strength and Fano factor values of photon counts were utilized to compare the UPE patterns of males and females of different age groups. Subsequently, we utilized UPE data from the most sensitive PMT to develop an age prediction model. We randomly picked 49 subjects to construct the model, whereas the remaining 11 subjects were utilized for validation. The results demonstrated that the model was a good regression compared to the observed values (Pearson's r=0.6, adjusted R square=0.4, p=9.4E−7, accuracy=49/60). Further analysis revealed that the average difference between the chronological age and predicted age was only 7.6±0.8years. It was concluded that this fast and non-invasive photon technology is sufficiently promising to be developed for the estimation of biological aging.

Mars surface context cameras past, present, and future

AbstractMars has been the focus of robotic space exploration since the 1960s, in which time there have been over 40 missions, some successful, some not. Camera systems have been a core component of all instrument payloads sent to the Martian surface, harnessing some combination of monochrome, color, multispectral, and stereo imagery. Together, these data sets provide the geological context to a mission, which over the decades has included the characterization and spatial mapping of geological units and associated stratigraphy, charting active surface processes such as dust devils and water ice sublimation, and imaging the robotic manipulation of samples via scoops (Viking), drills (Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity), and grinders (Mars Exploration Rovers). Through the decades, science context imaging has remained an integral part of increasingly advanced analytical payloads, with continual advances in spatial and spectral resolution, radiometric and geometric calibration, and image analysis techniques. Mars context camera design has encompassed major technological shifts, from single photomultiplier tube detectors to megapixel charged‐couple devices, and from multichannel to Bayer filter color imaging. Here we review the technological capability and evolution of science context imaging instrumentation resulting from successful surface missions to Mars, and those currently in development for planned future missions.

Demonstration of neutron detection utilizing open cell foam and noble gas scintillation

We present results demonstrating neutron detection via a closely spaced converter structure coupled to low pressure noble gas scintillation instrumented by a single photo-multiplier tube (PMT). The converter is dispersed throughout the gas volume using a reticulated vitreous carbon foam coated with boron carbide (B4C). A calibrated cold neutron beam is used to measure the neutron detection properties, using a thin film of enriched 10B as a reference standard. Monte Carlo computations of the ion energy deposition are discussed, including treatment of the foam random network. Results from this study indicate that the foam shadows a significant portion of the scintillation light from the PMT. The high scintillation yield of Xe appears to overcome the light loss, facilitating neutron detection and presenting interesting opportunities for neutron detector design.

Coincidence ion imaging with a fast frame camera.

A new time- and position-sensitive particle detection system based on a fast frame CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductors) camera is developed for coincidence ion imaging. The system is composed of four major components: a conventional microchannel plate/phosphor screen ion imager, a fast frame CMOS camera, a single anode photomultiplier tube (PMT), and a high-speed digitizer. The system collects the positional information of ions from a fast frame camera through real-time centroiding while the arrival times are obtained from the timing signal of a PMT processed by a high-speed digitizer. Multi-hit capability is achieved by correlating the intensity of ion spots on each camera frame with the peak heights on the corresponding time-of-flight spectrum of a PMT. Efficient computer algorithms are developed to process camera frames and digitizer traces in real-time at 1 kHz laser repetition rate. We demonstrate the capability of this system by detecting a momentum-matched co-fragments pair (methyl and iodine cations) produced from strong field dissociative double ionization of methyl iodide.

Development of a Phoswich Detector for Radioxenon Field Measurements

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization deploys a variety of radioxenon detect ion systems as part of its International Monitoring System to d etect nuclear explosions. To achieve the high sensitivity require d, the systems extract xenon from several cubic meters of air and look for characteristic radioactive emissions, using either high resolution high purity germanium gamma detectors or multiple scintillators for high efficiency beta/gamma coincidence detectio n. The high sensitivity comes at the expense of heavy lead shie lding, and for the latter, calibration and gain matching of multip le photomultiplier tubes as well as a memory effect of the plastic scintillator used for beta detection which absorbs Xe. Existing systems are also stationary by design, though in so me applications, for example on-site inspections, a po rtable detector is required. In this work, we therefore redesigned a previously developed phoswich detector to reduce size, weight, cost, complexity and memory effect with only minor impact on the sensitivity. The phoswich design requires only a si ngle photomultiplier tube with beta/gamma coincidences being detected by digital pulse shape analysis. Additiona l gain stabilization addresses varying environmental field conditions, such as temperature changes. Three phoswich geometries were modeled through Monte Carlo simulations, the most promising was built and tested. In this paper we describe eac h of the initial designs, their simulated performances and the facto rs that lead us to the chosen design. Preliminary results from testing of the prototype detector are presented and compared with simulation.

Timing properties of phosphor-coated polished LSO crystals

This study investigates a time-of-flight (TOF)–depth-of-interaction (DOI) detector design for positron emission tomography (PET), based on phosphor-coated lutetium oxyorthosilicate (LSO) scintillator crystals coupled to fast single channel photomultiplier tubes. Interaction of the scintillation light with the phosphor coating changes the pulse shape in a depth-dependent manner. 3 × 3 × 10 mm3 LSO scintillation crystals with polished surfaces were characterized, with and without phosphor coating, to assess DOI capability and timing properties. Two different phosphor coating geometries were studied: coating of the top surface of the crystal, and the top plus half of the crystal sides. There was negligible depth dependency in the decay time when coating only the top surface, however there was a ∼10 ns difference in end-to-end decay time when coating the top plus half of the crystal sides, sufficient to support the use of three DOI bins (3.3 mm DOI bin width). The rise time of the half-coated phosphor crystal was slightly faster at all depths, compared to uncoated crystals, however the signal amplitude was lower. Phosphor coating resulted in depth-dependent photopeak positions with an energy resolution of 13.7%, at a depth of 1 mm, and 15.3%, at a depth of 9 mm, for the half-coated crystal. Uncoated LSO crystals showed no change in photopeak position as a function of depth, with an energy resolution of 10.4%. The head-on coincidence timing resolution (CTR) of two uncoated LSO crystals was 287 ps using constant fraction discrimination for time pick-off. With phosphor coating, the CTR of the top-coated crystal was 314 ps, compared to 384 ps for the half-coated crystal. We demonstrate that the trade-off between timing resolution and DOI resolution can be controlled by the phosphor coating geometry. Here we present preliminary results demonstrating that good DOI resolution can be achieved with only a modest 26% degradation in CTR.

A well-type phoswich detector for nuclear explosion monitoring

In this work, a well-type phoswich detector with three scintillation layers has been designed and tested for measuring atmospheric xenon radioisotopes in order to monitor nuclear explosions. The detector was made by optically coupling three concentric cylindrical scintillation layers (BC-400, CsI(Tl) and BGO) to a single photomultiplier tube. Beta-gamma coincidence technique was used to detect beta particles and gamma rays. Other important features of this detector are its Compton suppression capability and simple, compact and cost effective design. Our calculations and measurements with the well-type phoswich detector show that the minimum detectable concentrations are close to or below 1 mBq/m3 for the four xenon radioisotopes.

Prototype Neutron Portal Monitor Detector

A very large drum-shaped neutron detector which could replace the 3He neutron portal monitor detector is under development. Detection is based on the 6Li(n,3H)4He reaction. 6Li metal is evaporated onto aluminum plates then covered with 22-cm x 27-cm ZnS(Ag) scintillation sheets and sealed about the edges. The equivalent of 40 detector plates will be arrayed in the 80-cm diameter drum housing and viewed by a single 20-cm diameter hemispherical photomultiplier tube without the use of light guides. Presently 25 detector plates are installed. Light collection tests are performed with a bare 210Po alpha source on a ZnS(Ag) disk. Neutron detection studies include neutrons from a 2-curie PuBe source and from a 0.255-gram 240Pu source.

Frequency-encoded multiplexed CARS microscopy by rapid pulse shaping

A new coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) technique is reported for real-time detection and classification of several chemical constituents, utilizing a single detector and a single beam of shaped femtosecond pulses. The technique is based on rapidly switching between differently shaped pulses that either maximize or minimize the targeted vibrational lines excitation, thus creating temporally modulated ‘bright’ and ‘dark’ profiles in the total CARS signal that are measured by a single photomultiplier tube and demodulated by a multi-channel lock-in amplifier. Using a two-dimensional spatial light modulator displaying 24 different pulse shapes, we demonstrate pulse shaping at 80 kHz and chemically specific microscopy with pixel dwell times of less than 0.5 ms.

Photon emission from melanoma cells during brief stimulation by patterned magnetic fields: is the source coupled to rotational diffusion within the membrane?

If parameters for lateral diffusion of lipids within membranes are macroscopic metaphors of the angular magnetic moment of the Bohr magneton then the energy emission should be within the visible wavelength for applied ~1 µT magnetic fields. Single or paired digital photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) were placed near dishes of ~1 million B16 mouse melanoma cells that had been removed from incubation. In very dark conditions (10(-11) W/m(2)) different averaged (RMS) intensities between 5 nT and 3.5 µT were applied randomly in 4 min increments. Numbers of photons were recorded directly over or beside the cell dishes by PMTs placed in pairs within various planes. Spectral analyses were completed for photon power density. The peak photon emissions occurred around 1 µT as predicted by the equation. Spectra analyses showed reliable discrete peaks between 0.9 and 1.8 µT but not for lesser or greater intensities; these peak frequencies corresponded to the energy difference of the orbital-spin magnetic moment of the electron within the applied range of magnetic field intensities and the standard solution for Rydberg atoms. Numbers of photons from cooling cells can be modified by applying specific intensities of temporally patterned magnetic fields. There may be a type of "cellular" magnetic moment that, when stimulated by intensity-tuned magnetic fields, results in photon emissions whose peak frequencies reflect predicted energies for fundamental orbital/spin properties of the electron and atomic aggregates with large principal quantum numbers.

Implosion chain reaction mitigation in underwater assemblies of photomultiplier tubes

Since the accident with a cascade failure of photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) in the Super-Kamiokande experiment in 2001, the mechanical performance of large format semi-hemispherical PMTs has become a critical issue for large water Cherenkov detectors. The subject of this study is the survival of an assembled array of PMTs under significant hydrostatic pressure and subjected to shock waves caused by the failure of a single PMT. This paper details the results of the second stage of a R&D program focused on the design and testing of different PMT assemblies to mitigate the risk of a “chain-reaction” of PMT failures. The initial results show that our PMT assembly design can effectively reduce the magnitude of the shock wave. With the testing results in this paper and the hydrodynamic simulation calculation, we can further improve the design of PMT deployment to mitigate the risk of chain reactions caused by implosion induced shock waves.

Expansion cone for the 3-inch PMTs of the KM3NeT optical modules

Detection of high-energy neutrinos from distant astrophysical sources will open a new window on the Universe. The detection principle exploits the measurement of Cherenkov light emitted by charged particles resulting from neutrino interactions in the matter containing the telescope. A novel multi-PMT digital optical module (DOM) was developed to contain 31 3-inch photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). In order to maximize the detector sensitivity, each PMT will be surrounded by an expansion cone which collects photons that would otherwise miss the photocathode. Results for various angles of incidence with respect to the PMT surface indicate an increase in collection efficiency by 30% on average for angles up to 45° with respect to the perpendicular.Ray-tracing calculations could reproduce the measurements, allowing to estimate an increase in the overall photocathode sensitivity, integrated over all angles of incidence, by 27% (for a single PMT). Prototype DOMs, being built by the KM3NeT consortium, will be equipped with these expansion cones.

A compton-suppressed phoswich detector for gamma spectroscopy

A phoswich detector with two scintillation layers has been designed and assembled at Oregon State University. This detector is able to identify and reject Compton events and ultimately reduce the Compton continuum in gamma energy spectra. In this detector, CsI(Tl) crystal is used to primarily detect photoelectric events. The CsI(Tl) crystal is partially surrounded by a BGO crystal layer to capture and identify Compton-scattered photons. Both crystals are optically coupled to a single photomultiplier tube. A real-time, FPGA-based digital pulse shape analysis was developed to discriminate and reject Compton-induced pulses from the CsI(Tl) crystal. All the digital pulse processing functions including pulse shape discrimination analysis, pile-up rejection and energy measurement were implemented in an on-board FPGA device. In this paper, the results of recent measurements using radioactive lab sources will be presented and discussed.

High resolution ion Doppler spectroscopy at Prairie View Rotamak

A fast ion Doppler spectroscopy (IDS) diagnostic system is installed on the Prairie View Rotamak to measure ion temperature and plasma flow. The diagnostic employs a single channel photomultiplier tube and a Jarrell-Ash 50 monochromator with a diffraction grating line density of 1180 lines/mm, which allows for first order spectra of 200-600 nm. The motorized gear of the monochromator allows spectral resolution of 0.01 nm. Equal IDS measurements are observed for various impurity emission lines of which carbon lines exhibit stronger intensities. Furthermore, the diagnostics is examined in an experiment where plasma experiences sudden disruption and quick recovery. In this case, the IDS measurements show ~130% increase in ion temperature. Flow measurements are shown to be consistent with plasma rotation.

A multi-view time-domain non-contact diffuse optical tomography scanner with dual wavelength detection for intrinsic and fluorescence small animal imaging

We present a non-contact diffuse optical tomography (DOT) scanner with multi-view detection (over 360°) for localizing fluorescent markers in scattering and absorbing media, in particular small animals. It relies on time-domain detection after short pulse laser excitation. Ultrafast time-correlated single photon counting and photomultiplier tubes are used for time-domain measurements. For light collection, seven free-space optics non-contact dual wavelength detection channels comprising 14 detectors overall are placed around the subject, allowing the measurement of time point-spread functions at both excitation and fluorescence wavelengths. The scanner is endowed with a stereo camera pair for measuring the outer shape of the subject in 3D. Surface and DOT measurements are acquired simultaneously with the same laser beam. The hardware and software architecture of the scanner are discussed. Phantoms are used to validate the instrument. Results on the localization of fluorescent point-like inclusions immersed in a scattering and absorbing object are presented. The localization algorithm relies on distance ranging based on the measurement of early photons arrival times at different positions around the subject. This requires exquisite timing accuracy from the scanner. Further exploiting this capability, we show results on the effect of a scattering hetereogenity on the arrival time of early photons. These results demonstrate that our scanner provides all that is necessary for reconstructing images of small animals using full tomographic reconstruction algorithms, which will be the next step. Through its free-space optics design and the short pulse laser used, our scanner shows unprecedented timing resolution compared to other multi-view time-domain scanners.

Abstract 46: Initial Experience with Bedside Monitoring of Stroke and Cerebral Perfusion using Time Domain Near-infrared Spectroscopy (TD-NIRS): Feasibility and Future Directions

Background: Near-infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) may provide continuous, multiregional parenchymal bedside perfusion monitoring without the risks of patient transport, contrast, or radiation. Time-domain NIRS (TD-NIRS) uses pulsed light attenuation at multiple wavelengths (600-950 nm) to discretely quantify oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin and determine total hemoglobin, oxygen saturation (OS) and cerebral blood volume (BV) in the region between each light source and detector. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of employing a novel TD-NIRS technology to assess absolute levels of cerebral BV and OS with broad spatial coverage in order to detect regions of ischemia. Methods: Ischemic stroke (IS) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients underwent TD-NIRS measurements. IS patients were fitted with a rectangular probe over the region of ischemia (2 rows of 4 sources between 3 rows of 5 detectors), using CT as a guide (external acoustic meatus as reference). SAH patients were fitted with a linear “anterior crown” probe with light sources and detectors arranged alternating in a single row (7 sources, 6 detectors). Clearance above the frontal sinus was guided by CT imaging (nasion as reference). 1.8 cm separated all source-detector pairs. Time-correlated single photon-counting photomultiplier tubes detected photons to measure absorption of pulsed light emitted at 3 wavelengths (690, 805, and 835 nm). Maximal OS (OSmax) and BV (BVmax) were calculated for the entire region measured by the probe to enable multiple comparisons. Results: In IS patients, ischemic regions (n=4) had an OSmax of 65.8 SD 13.1; contralateral normal tissue had an OSmax of 85.3 SD 27.1 (paired t-test; p 0.14). Ischemic regions had a BVmax of 76.25 SD 24.17 compared with 104.0 SD 42.5 in contralateral normal tissue (p 0.18). Regional inspection showed good visual correlation with infarcts ( Figure ). Of SAH patients with serial measures (n=2), one developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and bilateral infarcts, coincident with decreased BVmax on the right (72, day 1; 48, day 12) and left (153, day 1; 56, day 12); OS did not change. Conclusion: We were able to calculate multiregional BV and OS for patients with cerebral ischemia. Despite small sample size, we demonstrated a trend between contralateral (ischemic stroke) and historical (subarachnoid hemorrhage) controls. Leakage of light and absorption by hair produced artifacts that will require improvement in future applications. This system requires validation and further ergonomic refinement but has potential to enable continuous multiregional parenchymal monitoring.

Polarization lidar for shallow water depth measurement

A bathymetric, polarization lidar system transmitting at 532 nm and using a single photomultiplier tube is employed for applications of shallow water depth measurement. The technique exploits polarization attributes of the probed water body to isolate surface and floor returns, enabling constant fraction detection schemes to determine depth. The minimum resolvable water depth is no longer dictated by the system's laser or detector pulse width and can achieve better than 1 order of magnitude improvement over current water depth determination techniques. In laboratory tests, an Nd:YAG microchip laser coupled with polarization optics, a photomultiplier tube, a constant fraction discriminator, and a time-to-digital converter are used to target various water depths with an ice floor to simulate a glacial meltpond. Measurement of 1 cm water depths with an uncertainty of ±3 mm are demonstrated using the technique. This novel approach enables new approaches to designing laser bathymetry systems for shallow depth determination from remote platforms while not compromising deep water depth measurement.