Performance of Au transmission photocathode on a microchannel plate detector

Journal Article · Wed Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 2008 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2971970· OSTI ID:21266574

Lowenstern, M E; Harding, E C; Huntington, C M; Visco, A J; Rathore, G; Drake, R P ^[1]

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1. University of Michigan, 2455 Hayward Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 (United States)

X-ray framing cameras, employing microchannel plates (MCPs) for detection and signal amplification, play a key role in research in high-energy-density physics. These instruments convert radiographic x-rays into electrons produced by plasma during such experiments into electrons that are amplified in the channels and then detected by a phosphor material. The separation of detection from signal amplification offers potential improvements in sensitivity and noise properties. We have implemented a suspended Au transmission photocathode (160 A thick) on a MCP and are evaluating it using a 1.5 keV Al K{alpha} x-ray source. We find an approximately twofold increase in the ratio of detected events to incident photons when the photocathode-to-MCP voltage difference is sufficiently large. Our calculations indicate that this increase is probably caused by a combination of signal produced by the photocathode and an increase in the efficiency of detection of x-rays that reach the MCP surface through modification of the local electric field.

• OSTI ID: 21266574
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 79; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CAMERAS
DETECTION
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRONS
ENERGY DENSITY
GOLD
MICROCHANNEL ELECTRON MULTIPLIERS
PHOTOCATHODES
PHOTONS
RADIATION DETECTORS
SIGNALS
TRANSMISSION
X RADIATION
X-RAY SOURCES