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Photo Multipliers: By, MD Anas Ahmad

Photomultipliers, also known as photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), are extremely sensitive light detectors that provide electrical current output proportional to light intensity. They contain a photocathode that converts photons to electrons, dynodes that multiply the electrons through secondary emission, and an anode that collects the amplified electrons. Photomultipliers can detect single photons, have high gain and frequency response, and are used in applications like medical imaging, night vision, and particle physics experiments.

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Pallav Kumar
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40 views16 pages

Photo Multipliers: By, MD Anas Ahmad

Photomultipliers, also known as photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), are extremely sensitive light detectors that provide electrical current output proportional to light intensity. They contain a photocathode that converts photons to electrons, dynodes that multiply the electrons through secondary emission, and an anode that collects the amplified electrons. Photomultipliers can detect single photons, have high gain and frequency response, and are used in applications like medical imaging, night vision, and particle physics experiments.

Uploaded by

Pallav Kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHOTO MULTIPLIERS

BY, MD ANAS AHMAD


PHOTOMULTIPLIERS DEFINED

Called photomultiplier tubes (PMTs)


members of the class of vacuum phototubes
extremely sensitive light detectors providing a
current output proportional to light intensity.
a photoemissive device in which the
absorption of a photon results in the emission
of an electron
CONSTRUCTION
ADVANTAGES OVER OTHER PHOTO
DETECTORS

Large area light detection


High gain
ability to detect single photons
Low noise
High frequency response
PARTS OF A PHOTO MULTIPLIER

A.PRIMARY PARTS
1.PHOTOCATHODE
2.DYNODES
3.ANODE
B.SECONDARY PARTS
1.INPUT WINDOW
PHOTOCATHODE

converts the photon to a photoelectron


active area of the photocathode can be as small
as a few millimeters in diameter or as large as a
sphere half a meter in diameter
wavelength range over which one responds to
light can be adjusted by changing the cathode’s
chemical composition
PHOTOCATHODE MATERIALS

1. Ag-O-Cs
sensitive from the visible to infrared range (300 to
1200nm)
Mainly used for detection in the near infrared region
with the photocathode cooled.
2. GaAs(Cs)
usually covers a wider spectral response range from
ultraviolet to 930nm
3. InGaAs(Cs)
 has greater extended sensitivity in the infrared range
than GaAs
 in the range between 900 and 1000nm, InGaAs has
much higher S/N ratio than Ag-O-Cs.
4. Sb-Cs
 a widely used photocathode
 has a spectral response in the ultraviolet to visible range
 Mainly used for side-on photocathodes
DYNODES:

electron multiplier consists of from 8, up to 19 stages


of electrodes called dynodes
Amplification is carried out using the dynode chain

ANODE:

After exiting the last dynode, the electron pulse is


collected on the anode
INPUT WINDOW
1. Borosilicate glass
 frequently used glass material
 transmits radiation from the near infrared to approximately 300nm
 not suitable for detection in the ultraviolet region
2. UV-transmitting glass (UV glass)
 transmits ultraviolet radiation well
 widely used

 UV cut-off is approximately 185nm.

3. Synthetic silica
transmits ultraviolet radiation down to 160nm
4. MgF2 (magnesium fluoride)
superior in transmitting ultraviolet radiation
Transmits ultraviolet radiation down to 115nm
OPERATION

 light absorbed on a photocathode generates free electrons, which are


subsequently accelerated with a high voltage (at least hundreds of volts),
generate secondary electrons on other electrodes, and finally a usable
photocurrent.

require maximum voltages in the region of 1 - 2 kV


there are also ordinary phototubes that can be operated with a much lower voltage
of 15V with only two electrodes and therefore much lower responsivity
TYPES OF PHOTOMULTIPLIERS
 1. silicon photomultipliers
 can be obtained with an array containing may
avalanche diodes
 photomultipliers can be replaced with avalanche
photodiodes, which also exhibit an amplification
mechanism, but in that case one which occurs within a
solid-state (semiconductor) material, rather than in a
vacuum tube
 cheaper and much more compact and robust
 exhibit a higher quantum efficiency, but also a
higher amplification noise.
2. hybrid photomultipliers
 a vacuum tube with a photocathode and a silicon avalanche
diode
 functions similarly to a PMT but with a different mechanism of
amplification.
 suitable for a variety of applications including light detection
and ranging
 where electrons from a photocathode are accelerated with
several kilovolts to a semiconductor chip similar to that of an
avalanche diode
APPLICATIONS

used to detect low-energy photons in the UV to


visible range, high-energy photons (X-rays and
gamma rays)
medical diagnostics including blood tests
medical imaging
motion picture film scanning
high-end image scanners
the basis of night vision devices

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