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Click to read the original text: Wei Jianan, Liu Hulin, Chen Ping, Li Yang, Li Kuinian, Wei Yonglin, He Luanguang, Zhao Xinman, Sai Xiaofeng, Liu Deng, Tian Jinshou, Zhao Wei. Dynamic range study of MCP-PMT under visible light pulse input [J]. Journal of Photonics, 2024, 53(2): 0204001
The Microchannel Plate Photomultiplier Tube (MCP-PMT) has been widely used in various detection experiments as a high-performance photoelectric detector in recent years. With the continuous development of high dynamic detection demands, in-depth research and development of MCP-PMTs with large dynamic ranges have become urgent needs. For example, in measuring strong pulse radiation fields, MCP-PMTs are required to have a large dynamic range to achieve extensive coverage of target signals and high temporal measurement precision. The LIDAR-Thomson scattering system in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) needs to enhance the dynamic range of MCP-PMTs in the visible light range of 400-700 nm while maintaining signal fidelity under high sensitivity conditions.
The MCP-PMT mainly consists of a photoelectric cathode, MCP multiplication system, anode, and a sealed tube shell providing a vacuum environment. When incident light passes through the glass window and strikes the surface of the photoelectric cathode, photoelectrons are excited through the photoelectric effect. Under the action of a high-speed electric field between the cathode and MCP, the photoelectrons enter the MCP multiplication and generate a large number of secondary electrons, which are finally collected and released by the anode. When the input light intensity is weak, the anode output of the MCP-PMT is linearly related to the incident light intensity. However, as the input light intensity increases, the anode output gradually deviates from linearity and may even saturate. In the absence of light, the MCP-PMT also has a weak dark current output, primarily originating from thermal emission of the cathode and leakage currents between stages. The dynamic range of the photomultiplier tube is expressed as the ratio of the maximum linear output current of the anode to the dark current. Since the dark current is generally in the nanoampere range and the anode output current is in the milliampere range, the maximum linear output current of the anode can be used to evaluate its dynamic range.
The dynamic range of the MCP-PMT is related to many factors, including the intensity and frequency of the input visible light, the material of the microchannel plate, and the voltage values applied to each part of the MCP-PMT. This paper mainly investigates the reasons why the MCP-PMT output electrons deviate from normal linear multiplication based on the input light pulse frequency and the potential difference applied to the backend of the MCP-PMT. By combining simulation and experiments, this study explores optimizing the working conditions of the device and improving its structure, while comprehensively considering different data sources and sample selections, designing an effective experimental scheme and implementation process.
Figure 1 Schematic diagram of MCP-PMT structure and working principle
(a) Electron multiplication inside the microchannel plate
Figure 2 Schematic diagram of secondary electron multiplication and nonlinear output of the MCP-PMT
(a) Experimental flowchart
Figure 3 Experimental process and construction of testing platform
The ultrafast diagnostic detector technology team at the Xi’an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, relies on the institute, the State Key Laboratory of Transient Optics and Photonic Technology, and the State Key Laboratory of Ultrafast Diagnosis Technology to conduct systematic work around MCP-PMT, including fundamental theoretical research, technological breakthroughs, and engineering application research. They have developed a series of fast-response MCP-PMTs, including general fast-response MCP-PMT, gated fast-response MCP-PMT, large dynamic range MCP-PMT, gated large dynamic range MCP-PMT, multi-channel position-sensitive MCP-PMT, and large-area MCP-PMT, with performance indicators reaching international advanced levels, and have been included in the list of self-developed instruments by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The series of MCP-PMTs are sold and applied in experiments conducted by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, China Academy of Engineering Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Xi’an Jiaotong University, and others in laser fusion, radiation pulse scintillation measurement, particle detection, fluorescence measurement, etc.
Wei Jianan (First Author), a graduate student at the Xi’an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, under the supervision of researcher Chen Ping. He graduated from the School of Electrical Engineering at Xi’an Jiaotong University, with research focusing on structural optimization and performance improvement of ultrafast detector devices.
Chen Ping (Corresponding Author), female, researcher at the Xi’an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, master’s supervisor, and one of the first specially appointed backbones of the Academy, leading the high-sensitivity photoelectric detection research group. Supported by projects such as the Shaanxi Province Outstanding Youth Fund, Shaanxi Province Top Youth Talent, and the “Research on New Laser Fusion Schemes” A-class pilot project, and key technology breakthroughs for the Super Terahertz Device. She mainly engages in research on photomultiplier tubes, having participated in the development of 20-inch photomultiplier tubes for the Jiangmen Neutrino Experiment and 3-inch photomultiplier tubes for Hainan Zhan Chuang during her master’s and doctoral period from 2012 to 2016, both applied in the Jiangmen Neutrino Experiment. From 2017 to present, she has developed a series of fast-response photomultiplier tubes serving major tasks such as laser fusion, Super Terahertz devices, and strong radiation pulse measurements. She has published over 30 SCI papers and applied for/authorized over 10 patents. She serves as the vice president of the Engineering and Equipment Branch of the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, group leader at the Xi’an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, director of the Optical Engineering Society of China, member of the Photoelectric Measurement Committee, expert in technology maturity evaluation of photoelectric products, director of the Shaanxi Province Women Scientists Association, director of the Xi’an Youth Science and Technology Workers Association, and committee member of national youth scholars forums and conferences.
Li Yang (Corresponding Author), male, member of the Communist Party, graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2007, obtained his doctorate from Xi’an Jiaotong University in 2017, currently serves as the director of the third room of the second institute of Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, associate researcher, engaged in research related to spatiotemporal resolution image diagnosis of pulse radiation fields. In recent years, he has completed several special projects such as the “13th Five-Year Plan” as a person in charge or main contributor, winning the first prize of military scientific and technological progress in 2018 and 2021, and the second prize in 2020, and has published more than 10 academic papers.
Journal Introduction
Journal indexed in ESCI, EI, Scopus, Chinese Core, China Science and Technology Core, and CSCD databases.
Editor-in-Chief: Academician Hao Yue
The Journal of Photonics is an academic monthly published by the Xi’an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Optical Society of China, published by Science Press. Its purpose is to showcase new theories, concepts, ideas, technologies, and advancements in the field of photonics research, reflecting the latest research results that represent the forefront of this discipline and are of international concern, promoting academic exchanges and discussions at home and abroad. It has repeatedly won titles such as Excellent Academic Journal with International Influence in China and Excellent Science and Technology Journal in Shaanxi Province.
Mainly publishes academic papers, research briefs, and research fast reports in this discipline, covering transient optics, optoelectronics, intelligent optical instruments, integrated optics, information optics, waveguide optics, nonlinear optics, optical physics, photochemistry, photobiology, optical communication, optical sensing, optical computing, optical neural networks, photonic functional materials, photon self-interaction, and classical and non-classical effects of photons.
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