Hybrid Multianode Photomultiplier Tube

75298-The performance of hadronic calorimeters in modern high-energy particle accelerators depends on the light detectors that transform the emitted fluorescence to electric signals. Hundreds of such detectors process signals from thousands of fibers that deliver light to them from multiple locations within a calorimeter. These light detectors must operate in an extremely harsh environment that includes high magnetic field. Improvements to these detectors are needed in reliability, readout speed, sensitivity, and cost effectiveness. This project will develop a new generation of hybrid photodetectors, based on using a silicon microchannel plate as the first cascade in electron multiplication. The silicon multichannel plate will significantly reduce anode acceleration voltage and crosstalk among channels. Phase I will include comprehensive computer modeling of the device for design optimization, fabrication of a working prototype of the hybrid detector with at least four anode sections, and an experimental demonstration of prototype performance. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: In addition to Nuclear Physics research, the low-noise fast multichannel light detectors should find applications in imaging ladars and in nuclear medicine.