Investigation of Hamamatsu H8500 phototubes as single photon detectors

TL;DR

This study evaluates Hamamatsu H8500 MAPMTs for single photon detection in Cherenkov counters, confirming their suitability for high-precision particle identification in physics experiments.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive assessment of H8500 MAPMTs' performance as single photon detectors, including both standard and UV-enhanced types, for use in Cherenkov imaging.

Findings

MAPMTs effectively detect single photons at 407.2nm

Both standard and UV-enhanced types are suitable for Cherenkov applications

The response confirms their use in the CLAS12 spectrometer

Abstract

We have investigated the response of a significant sample of Hamamatsu H8500 MultiAnode PhotoMultiplier Tubes (MAPMTs) as single photon detectors, in view of their use in a ring imaging Cherenkov counter for the CLAS12 spectrometer at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. For this, a laser working at 407.2nm wavelength was employed. The sample is divided equally into standard window type, with a spectral response in the visible light region, and UV-enhanced window type MAPMTs. The studies confirm the suitability of these MAPMTs for single photon detection in such a Cherenkov imaging application.