Pulsed Photomultipliers for Fast Scintillation Counting

• Published in: Review of scientific instruments 1956-01, Vol.27 (1), p.40-43
• Main Authors: Singer, Sidney, Neher, Leland K., Ruehle, Robert A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0034-6748; 1089-7623
• DOI: 10.1063/1.1715362

A pulsed 931‐A photomultiplier and TW‐10 traveling wave oscilloscope have been used to measure the scintillation decay times of (a) transtilbene, (b) terphenyl‐in‐toluene, and (c) polystyrene plastic containing one percent terphenyl, 0.03% α‐NPO, and 0.01% zinc stearate. The times for 1/e decay are (a) 4±1×10−9 sec, (b) 2.2±0.3×10−9 sec, and (c) 2.2±0.3×10−9 sec. The behavior of the multiplier with large collector currents was studied, using a synchronized flash lamp. Linear currents up to 1.5 amperes and maximum currents up to 15 amperes were obtained. Currents in the ampere range can give rise to an oscillation which may limit the application of pulsed photomultipliers.