Photomultiplier Detector System

This turnkey detector is a low noise, high sensitivity system that exceeds the performance of silicon photodiode systems over the wavelength range of 185 to 800 nm. It has a superior combination of a large, eight mm diameter, aperture and fast response of ten microseconds. The convenient controller provides eleven gain settings over an amplification range of 10² to 10⁶ and includes a detector overvoltage protection circuit in case the impinging light beam is too bright.

 

The housing includes a manual shutter and a filter tray for any one-inch diameter optic of thickness less than 0.4 inches. The entrance aperture is threaded to accommodate C-mount optics and accessories including a fiber adapter, a field limiting tube and a manual iris. The tube is threaded internally and includes two retaining rings for mounting one-inch diameter optics. The housing has 1/4 - 20, 8 - 32, and M6 threaded mounting holes along two sides for post mounting and bulkhead mounting tabs with clear holes for 8 - 32 screws near the entrance aperture.

 

The controller includes a protection circuit that turns off the high voltage when too much light reaches the photocathode. The detector housing contains an amplifier near the anode output of the photomultiplier tube to minimize noise. All high voltage for the tube is produced inside the housing with only low control voltage of fifteen volts present on the cable from the controller to the housing. The zero to eight volt detector output is accessed by a BNC connector on the housing. A half meter coaxial cable is included to connect this output to a digital voltmeter or A/D converter.