Scintillator-SiPM Photosensor for Low-Noise Light Multiplication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultra-sensitive photosensors, such as photomultiplier tubes, face challenges with high manufacturing costs and uncertainty in secondary electron multiplication rates, leading to lower noise performance.
Innovation Solution
A photosensor design incorporating a vacuum tube with a photocathode unit, a scintillator unit, and a silicon photomultiplier, where the scintillator unit reacts with photoelectrons to generate scintillation light, which is then converted into electrical signals by the photomultiplier, increasing multiplication rates and improving noise performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a photomultiplier tube with multiple dynodes is used to achieve ultra-sensitive light measurement, then the multiplication rate increases, but the manufacturing cost increases and the uncertainty of multiplication rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex dynode structure from the photomultiplier tube, replacing it with a simplified single-dynode configuration. This extraction of the problematic component directly addresses the contradiction by eliminating the source of manufacturing complexity while preserving the essential light detection function through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by operating the photomultiplier tube at elevated temperatures (e.g., 77K or higher) and modifies the electrical field distribution through specific electrode configurations. These parameter changes enable the simplified single-dynode structure to achieve multiplication rates comparable to complex multi-dynode systems, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and performance.
2Measurement precision
If a photomultiplier tube with multiple dynodes is used to achieve ultra-sensitive light measurement, then the multiplication rate increases, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex dynode structure from the photomultiplier tube, replacing it with a simplified single-dynode configuration. This extraction of the problematic component directly addresses the contradiction by eliminating the source of manufacturing complexity while preserving the essential light detection function through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by operating the photomultiplier tube at elevated temperatures (e.g., 77K or higher) and modifies the electrical field distribution through specific electrode configurations. These parameter changes enable the simplified single-dynode structure to achieve multiplication rates comparable to complex multi-dynode systems, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and performance.
3Measurement precision
If a photomultiplier tube with multiple dynodes is used to achieve ultra-sensitive light measurement, then the multiplication rate increases, but the noise performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by operating the photomultiplier tube at elevated temperatures (e.g., 77K or higher) and modifies the electrical field distribution through specific electrode configurations. These parameter changes enable the simplified single-dynode structure to achieve multiplication rates comparable to complex multi-dynode systems while reducing the uncertainty and noise associated with multiple electron multiplication stages.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The photosensor achieves a higher multiplication rate and improved signal-to-noise ratio, providing enhanced light measurement capabilities with reduced uncertainty in electron multiplication.
Implementation Method 1
a photocathode unit provided on inner surface of the vacuum tube to convert incident light incident from an outside into a first photoelectron
Implementation Method 2
a scintillator unit to react with the first photoelectron to generate scintillation light
Implementation Method 3
a photomultiplier to convert the scintillation light into a second photoelectron, and multiply the converted second photoelectron to generate an electrical signal
Implementation Method 4
the photomultiplier increasingly requires the manufacturing costs due to the complex structure thereof, and the uncertainty about the multiplication rate of the secondary electrons multiplied by the dynode is increased
Data Source
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AI summary
A photosensor is disclosed. The photosensor comprises: a vacuum tube providing an inner space in which photoelectrons move; a photocathode disposed at the top of the vacuum tube and converting light that is incident from the outside into photoelectrons; a scintillator unit reacting with the photoelectrons to generate scintillation light; and a photomultiplier element converting the scintillation light into photoelectrons and multiplying the converted photoelectrons to generate an electrical signal.