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Hybrid MCP-PMT characterisation on a testbeam with Cherenkov setup

G. Romolini, J. Alozy, R. Ballabriga, N. V. Biesuz, R. Bolzonella, M. Campbell, G. Cavallero, V. Cavallini, A. Cotta Ramusino, M. Fiorini, E. Franzoso, M. Guarise, X. Llopart Cudie, A. Saputi, D. Vincenzi

TL;DR

This work demonstrates a compact MCP-PMT detector, integrating a transmission photocathode, a microchannel plate stack, and a Timepix4 ASIC, capable of single-photon Cherenkov detection in a Ring-Imaging Cherenkov configuration. The device was evaluated in a CERN SPS testbeam with a solid Cherenkov radiator and an optical projecting system, enabling ring imaging and timing measurements. Key results include a reconstructed Cherenkov ring radius near $R \approx 8.66$ mm, roughly $15$ detected photons per ring with a gain around $9.9$ ke$^-$, and an intrinsic timing resolution of approximately $\sigma_{\text{intrinsic}} \approx 283$ ps at a MCP bias of about $2100$ V, with timing-difference fits yielding $\sigma_{\text{timing}} \approx 400$ ps before division by $\sqrt{2}$. The measurements show good agreement with Geant4 simulations for ring size and photon yield, demonstrating the viability of the approach for precise time and spatial imaging of Cherenkov photons in a compact detector package.

Abstract

A novel photodetector based on a MCP-PMT vacuum tube with encapsulated CMOS ASIC has been tested at the CERN SPS high energy hadron beam, allowing single photon Cherenkov detection operating at 10$^4$ gain and with timing resolution of about 280~ps.

Hybrid MCP-PMT characterisation on a testbeam with Cherenkov setup

TL;DR

This work demonstrates a compact MCP-PMT detector, integrating a transmission photocathode, a microchannel plate stack, and a Timepix4 ASIC, capable of single-photon Cherenkov detection in a Ring-Imaging Cherenkov configuration. The device was evaluated in a CERN SPS testbeam with a solid Cherenkov radiator and an optical projecting system, enabling ring imaging and timing measurements. Key results include a reconstructed Cherenkov ring radius near mm, roughly detected photons per ring with a gain around ke, and an intrinsic timing resolution of approximately ps at a MCP bias of about V, with timing-difference fits yielding ps before division by . The measurements show good agreement with Geant4 simulations for ring size and photon yield, demonstrating the viability of the approach for precise time and spatial imaging of Cherenkov photons in a compact detector package.

Abstract

A novel photodetector based on a MCP-PMT vacuum tube with encapsulated CMOS ASIC has been tested at the CERN SPS high energy hadron beam, allowing single photon Cherenkov detection operating at 10 gain and with timing resolution of about 280~ps.
Paper Structure (5 sections, 12 figures)

This paper contains 5 sections, 12 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Experimental setup
  3. Simulation
  4. Methodology and testbeam results
  5. Conclusions

Figures (12)

  • Figure 1: Simplified cross section of the detector assembly.
  • Figure 2: Spatial distribution of the beam on the first (a) and second (b) tracker.
  • Figure 3: (Top) Tracker 1 and (bottom) tracker 2 (left) $x$ and (right) $y$ hit distribution from data collected over 50 spills. The gaussian fit are superimposed.
  • Figure 4: (a) Schematic of the testbeam setup seen from above: it comprises a tracking station, a RICH system, a time reference system and two scintillators for beam alignment. An external clock generator and a Trigger Logic Unit (TLU) are used to provide an external reference clock and external T0_sync and shutter signals to the three Timepix4. (b) 3D CAD rendering of the experimental apparatus.
  • Figure 5: Geant4 simulation of the complete optical system of the RICH setup.
  • ...and 7 more figures