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SERIES 2600 IMAGING PHOTON DETECTOR SYSTEMS
2600 Series Imaging, position-sensitive PMT detector system for ultra violet, visible and near-infrared photon detection.
2601 system.gif

The Model 2601B Mepsicron-II™ Single-Photon Imaging Detector System is a high-performance, ultra-low-light-level digital electronic camera /optical detector system. It is designed for demanding, ultra-low-light scientific imaging and spectroscopy applications in the spectral range from below 180 nm to beyond 900 nm.

This detector combines the most desirable features of two fundamentally different types of traditional optical detectors into one system. The Mepsicron-II offers the exceptional ultra-low-light sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio and time-resolved capabilities of a digital, single-photon-counting photomultiplier (PMT) combined with the full X-Y position-sensitivity of a 1-D or 2-D array detector. Although simpler in practice, the system effectively operates much like a 23 mm diameter array of more than 125,000 microscopic (50 x 50 micron) single-photon-counting PMT's, each capable of detecting single photons with an extremely high signal-to-noise ratio. Spectra and images are created by digitally summing successive single-photon digital events.

These unique and powerful capabilities have resulted in the Mepsicron-II™ system being successfully used worldwide in a range of specialized applications in physical, chemical and biological science where improved ultra-low-light or time-resolved performance is required compared to more conventional detectors such as CCD's or single-channel (non-imaging) PMT's.

Examples of typical applications are:

  • Raman multi-channel spectroscopy and imaging
  • Fluorescence and luminescence spectroscopy/imaging
  • Optical emission microscopy for microelectronics
  • Astronomy and space science
  • X-ray and neutron imaging with fiber optics/scintillators
  • Biological and medical imaging
  • Single-photon time-resolved spectroscopy/imaging

MODEL 2601B IMAGING SINGLE-PHOTON DETECTOR SYSTEM:
base system includes the following:

  • MEPSICRON-II tm High-Resolution Imaging PMT (Advanced 2 60:1 MCP Version).
    23 mm defined diameter active area. Equipped with UV-grade fused-silica faceplate. Customer must specify the photocathode option desired (see options 050-055) based on spectral requirements. See Technical Specifications (separate document) for typical spectral response curves.
  • Thermoelectrically-cooled PMT insulated housing/controller.
    Cools tube chamber up to 35 below incoming (user-provided) cooling water temperature. Complete with the following:

    • UV-grade, fused-silica, double-pane, thermally insulating entrance window. Includes heater element to warm outside surface of window to minimize atmospheric condensation. 190-1000 nm.
    • Adjustable-position imager mounting socket with 33-45 mm axial focus distance (physical, not optical, distance from front mounting surface of TE-cooled housing to photocathode active surface, see options for longer distances).
    • Front mounting surface with threaded hole patterns for mounting to external equipment
    • Interlocked water flow sensor for insertion in user-supplied cooling water lines.

    TE-cooled imager housing requires user-supplied cooling water with minimum 12 gal/hrs (40 liter/hr) flow, at temperature of 0 to 10 C recommended temperature for optimum operation. See options on following pages, can use refrigerated (Neslab-type) recirculating water chiller to supply cooling water.

  • HV Power Supply/Voltage Divider.
    Low noise high-voltage power supply, with customized voltage divider network optimized for imaging PMT. SHV type connectors. Includes Over-count Trigger Module to disable photocathode-MCP voltage (electro-optical shutter effect) if preset maximum count rate limit is exceeded (see caution regarding possible damage to imager tube due to excessive light levels).
  • Readout electronics/controller.
    Model 2401B Position Analyzer complete with 4 channel option EP preamplifier module. Analog XY position outputs only, for use with analog-to-digital converters and XY analog monitor for real time display. For digitized XY position output, see ADC options below. For PC- based 1D spectral and 2D image acquisition system, see descriptions of Models 2251A MCA/MCA2D Software and associated data modules, or see MPA (Multiparameter) Data System (separate data sheet).
  • HV and signal interconnecting cables for base system equipment. 

 IMAGING PMT PHOTOCATHODE OPTIONS: (Must specify a photocathode option with order)

 Model  Description

 Option 050

BA-1 Type Photocathode:  Blue sensitive with lowest dark count. Minimum guaranteed radiant QE > 12% at 400 nm, typically >15%. Maximum dark count, typically < 20 cts/sec at -25 C (guaranteed maximum 50 cts/sec at -25 deg C). May be operated at room temperature with higher dark count, typically 200-300 cts/sec.

 Option 051

 S-20 Type Photocathode:  Blue-green-red sensitive. Minimum guaranteed radiant QE >15% at 400 nm, typically >17%. Maximum dark count, typically < 110 cts/sec at -25 C (guaranteed maximum > 110 cts/sec at -25 deg C).

 Option 052

 Super Gen S-25 Type Photocathode
Highest red/near-IR sensitivity. Minimum guaranteed radiant QE >10% at 500 nm, 6.0% at 800 nm, 0.5% at 900 nm. Maximum dark count < 600 cts/sec at -25 C.

 Option 053

 S-25 Type Photocathode.
Broad-spectrum type with moderate dark count. Minimum guaranteed radiant QE > 10% at 500 nm, typically > 12%; at 800 nm > 1.0%, typically > 1.5%. Maximum dark count, typically < 300 counts/sec at -25 deg C (guaranteed < 350 cts/sec at -25 deg C).

 Option 055

 CsRbTe Type Photocathode
Solar blind, UV response type only. Typical QE > 10%, 200nm, less than 0.01% at 400 nm (depressed visible). Dark count typically < 25 cps at +25 C (room temperature), does not require cooling (no significant effect).

 

THERMOELECTRICALLY-COOLED PMT HOUSING OPTIONS:

 Model  Description

 Option 015

Extra Cooling Capacity. Adds extra cooling capacity to achieve minimum of 55 C temperature differential in place of standard 35 C capability. For application sites where available cooling water is above +10 C and lowest dark count performance is desired. Note: An alternative is to use a Neslab-type refrigerated water recirculator to produce cooling water of desired temperature
 Option 017 Anti-Reflection (AR) Coated, Cooled Housing Window in place of standard.  Provides AR coated double-pane insulating entrance window in place of standard UV-grade uncoated fused silica panes. Optimizes transmission in specific spectral ranges. Contact factory for available coatings.
 Option 019 Non-Cooled PMT Housing in place of standard.  For use with Imaging PMT's equipped with photocathode type not requiring cooling (e.g. CsRbTe). Includes cylindrical light-tight housing with adjustable position tube socket assembly. No cooling modules, temperature readout thermocouple or insulating entrance window are provided.
 Option 022 Reduced-size TE-cooled PMT housing in place of standard.  Same features as standard but with smaller overall dimensions of approximately 4.7W" x 5.4H" x 9"D (axial). May exhibit smaller cooling differential of approximately 25 °C cooling water to interior chamber temperature (rather than standard 35 degrees C), requiring colder cooling water to reach comparabe cooled temperature.
 

DIGITIZED POSITION OUTPUT OPTIONS: digitization option for Model 2401B

 Model  Description
 Option 003

Add 9-bit Resolution Digitized Output, X and Y Axis.  512 spatial data channels spread across approx 24.5 mm active area diameter. Dead time 5-6 microseconds per event (versus 4 usec analog only); typically exhibits maximum detected count rate of 70,000 cts/sec at which the 1/e dead time loss approaches 60%

 Option 005 Add 10-Bit Resolution Digitized Output, X and Y Axis.  1024 spatial data channels spread across approx 24.5 mm active area diameter) Dead time 9-10 microseconds per event; typically corresponds to maximum detected count rate of 50,000 cts/sec at which rate the 1/e dead time loss approaches 60%.
 

POWER OPTIONS:

 Model  Description
 Option 070

 240 VAC, 50 Hz, Power System.  Equipped for operation on 220-240 VAC, 50 Hz power in place of standard 110-120 VAC, 60 Hz. Requires approximately 500 watts.

DATA ACQUISITION/DISPLAY SYSTEMS: Consult factory regarding various data collection/analysis systems available. Also see 2601/Option 080 Technical Description for Time-Resolved Subsystem.

 
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