Hybrid photomultiplier tube with ion deflector

Abstract

A focused electron/bombarded hybrid photomultiplier tube comprising a photocathode, focusing electrodes, and a collection anode disposed in a detector body. The collector anode includes a diode for receiving the focused output electron beam from the photocathode. The current gain between the photocathode output current and the detector output signal from the diode is over 1000 at a tube operating voltage of 7 kV. The noise factor has been determined to be 1.1. A hybrid photomultiplier tube includes a photocathode, a photodiode for collecting and multiplying electrons emitted by the photocathode and providing an output signal and electrodes for focusing the electrons on the photodiode. A vacuum envelope encloses a vacuum region between photocathode and the detector. A conductor disposed on or adjacent to a sidewall of the vacuum envelope reduces the effect of electrical charges on the inside wall of the vacuum envelope on the trajectories of the electrons. An ion deflector electrode is disposed adjacent to the photodiode anode and extends photocathode operational life and improves noise factor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.