Multi-anode time to digital converter

A time-to-digital (TDC) converter having increased dynamic range and time resolution for more accurately determining time relevant characteristics of a stream of particles, said TDC comprising:

• a first detector means for detecting impact of the stream of particles on a surface thereof, wherein the impact generates a first electrical signal from the first detector means;
• a second detector means for detecting impact of the stream of particles on a surface thereof, wherein the impact generates a second electrical signal from the second detector means;
• at least another detector means for detecting impact of the stream of particles on a surface thereof, wherein the impact generates at least another electrical signal from the at least another detector means,
• wherein the first detector means, the second detector means and the at least another detector means are members of a plurality of detector means for detecting the impact of the stream of particles on surfaces thereof, and
• wherein the detection of the stream of particles generates a first plurality of electrical signals from the plurality of detector means and
• wherein the stream of particles impacting on each of the plurality of detector means is characterized as a repetitive transient signal wherein each of the plurality of detector means is further comprised of:
• a microchannel plate disposed to thereby receive the stream of particles on a surface thereof, and generate the first plurality of electrical signals in response to the stream of particles;
• a first anode electrically coupled to the microchannel plate to thereby receive and process the first electrical signal to thereby generate a first processed electrical signal;
• a second anode electrically coupled to the microchannel plate to thereby receive and process the second electrical signal to thereby generate a second processed electrical signal;
• at least another anode electrically coupled to the microchannel plate to thereby receive and process the at least another electrical signal to thereby generate at least another processed electrical signal;
• and
• wherein the first processed electrical signal, the second processed electrical signal and the at least another processed electrical signal represent the time relevant characteristics of the stream of particles and
• wherein the first anode, the second anode and the at least another anode are members of a plurality of anodes which process the first plurality of electrical signals to thereby generate a second plurality of processed electrical signals;
• and
• a means for processing the first electrical signal, the second electrical signal, and the at least another electrical signal by receiving said first, said second, and said at least another electrical signals and determining the time relevant characteristics of the stream of particles generally without distortion of the time relevant characteristics which occurs with large signals, and generally without obscuring by noise of the time relevant characteristics which occur with small signals wherein the means for processing the first plurality of electrical signals is further comprised of a plurality of threshold detector means for enabling each of the first plurality of electrical signals which exceeds a selectable threshold energy level to be generated from the plurality of anodes as the second plurality of processed electrical signals.