US 6,642,493 B1 · Compact modular, configurable base for position sensitive photo-multipliers

Abstract

A modular base for a position sensitive Photo-Multiplier Tube (PS-PMT) that can be connected to other similar modular bases to form arrays of PS-PMTs. X and Y resistor chains are provided within the base to connect all X and Y coordinate anodes from the PS-PMT, respectively. An amplifier is provided at each end of each resistor chain to amplify output signals when the base is used alone; not connected to other bases. Jumpers associated with each amplifier are provided to include the amplifier in the output signal path or bypass the amplifier and connect to jumpers of other bases. When a base is used alone, the jumpers, which provide either an X or Y output signal, are set to include the amplifier in the output signal path. When two bases are connected together, the jumpers are set to bypass their associated amplifiers and connect the respective X or Y resistor chains of the two bases. The present method advantageously maintains the number of required amplifiers for each X or Y coordinate at two, no matter how many bases are used in the a row or column.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A modular base for a position sensitive photo-multiplier tube (PS-PMT) that can be used by itself and can be coupled to one or more like modular bases to create a matrix of bases thereby providing a user with multiple options in regards to a number of bases to be used in X and Y coordinates within the matrix of bases, each modular base comprising:

an X coordinate resistor chain that connects all X coordinate anodes of the PS-PMT;
a Y coordinate resistor chain that connects all Y coordinate anodes of the PS-PMT;
two X output signal amplifiers for the X coordinate resistor chain, wherein one amplifier is provided at each end of the X coordinate resistor chain;
two Y output signal amplifiers for the Y coordinate resistor chain, wherein one amplifier is provided at each end of the Y coordinate resistor chain;
four sets of configuration jumpers, wherein one of the four sets of jumpers is associated with each of the output signal amplifiers and the jumpers can be individually configured to either bypass or include the amplifier in an output signal path of a respective resistor chain;
circuitry for high voltage biasing that provides power to all dynode stages of the PS-PMT;
and,
circuitry for dynode signal extraction and amplification that provides fast trigger qualification of signals from the dynode stages of the PS-PMT;
wherein, all four output signal amplifiers are used when the base is not attached to another modular base, less than four of the output signal amplifiers are used when the base is connected to one or more other modular bases, and the jumpers are used to electrically connect the X and/or Y resistor chain(s) to X and/or Y resistor chains of the other modular bases.

6 more elements

A method for interconnecting compact modular PS-PMT bases, wherein each base comprises an X coordinate resistor chain with a left amplifier at a left end of the resistor chain and a right amplifier at a right end of the resistor chain, a Y coordinate resistor chain with a top amplifiers at a top end of the Y resistor chain and a bottom amplifier at a bottom end of the Y resistor chain, a set of configuration jumpers associated with each amplifier wherein each jumper is initially set to include the associated amplifier in an anode output signal path and the jumpers can also be set to bypass its associated amplifier, circuitry for high voltage biasing, and circuitry for dynode signal extraction and amplification, the method comprising the steps of:

setting the set of jumpers associated with the right amplifier of a first modular base to bypass the right amplifier;
setting the set of jumpers associated with the left amplifier on a second modular base to bypass the left amplifier;
and,
electrically connecting the jumpers associated with the right amplifier of the first modular base to the jumpers associated with the left amplifier on the second modular base so that the X resistor chains of the first and second bases are electrically connected.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compact modular, configurable base for position sensitive photo-multipliers

Life of this patent

Compact modular, configurable base for position sensitive photo-multipliers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20