PMT signal increase using a wavelength shifting paint

TL;DR

This study demonstrates a 1.65-fold increase in PMT signals by applying a novel wavelength shifting paint, tested on different PMTs and in Cherenkov detectors, enhancing detection efficiency for non-UV-transparent windows.

Contribution

The paper introduces a simple application procedure for a new wavelength shifting paint that significantly boosts PMT signals with non-UV-transparent windows, validated through laboratory and detector tests.

Findings

PMT signal increased by 1.65 times with WLS paint

Effective WLS paint applied to different PMT types

Enhanced detector performance with WLS paint in Cherenkov setups

Abstract

We report a 1.65 times increase of the PMT signal and a simple procedure of application of a new wavelength shifting (WLS) paint for PMTs with non-UV-transparent windows. Samples of four different WLS paints, made from hydrocarbon polymers and organic fluors, were tested on a 5-inch PMT (ET 9390KB) using Cherenkov radiation produced in fused silica disks by $^{106}$Ru electrons on a `table-top' setup. The best performing paint was employed on two different types of 5-inch PMTs (ET 9390KB and XP4572B), installed in atmospheric pressure CO$_2$ gas Cherenkov detectors, and tested using GeV electrons.