RESEARCH STUDIES OF QUANTUM DETECTORS AND MIXERS.
Abstract
Photomultiplier tubes capable of extending the low-noise gain of secondary emission multiplication to microwave frequencies were designed and operated. The tubes consisted of a semitransparent photocathode sensitive to the required spectral region, a multi-stage structure of transmission secondary emission dynodes, and a helical output coupler through which the electrons from the last dynode are focused. Experimental results are reported for tubes having a center frequency of 1.5 Gc and a bandwidth of 1.0 Gc. Tests indicate that any deterioration of modulation by the secondary emission multiplication process is small compared to the gain achieved in the dynodes. The noise is that predicted from the statistics of photo- and secondary-emission. For light wavelengths where efficient photocathodes can be constructed, the sensitivity of this tube approaches that of an ideal detector. Calculations indicate that scaling of this tube design to frequencies as high as K sub a band is possible. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 30, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0455124
Entities
People
- D. Blattner
- J. Ruedy