The quest for the ideal photodetector for the next generation deep-underwater neutrino telescopes

TL;DR

This paper reviews current photodetectors in neutrino telescopes, discusses requirements for future deep-underwater detectors, and identifies large area vacuum hybrid phototubes as the most promising technology for next-generation applications.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of photodetectors and highlights large area vacuum hybrid phototubes as the optimal choice for future deep-underwater neutrino telescopes.

Findings

Large area vacuum hybrid phototubes are closest to the ideal for next-gen telescopes.

Current photodetectors are reviewed in the context of future requirements.

Vacuum hybrid phototubes outperform other vacuum phototubes for this application.

Abstract

We review photodetectors used in present running neutrino telescopes. After a brief historical discourse, the photodetector requirements for the next generation deep underwater neutrino telescopes are discussed. It is shown that large area vacuum hybrid phototubes are the closest to the ideal photodetector for such kind of applications when compared with other vacuum phototubes.