Precision analysis of the photomultiplier response to ultra low signals

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new computational model for accurately describing photomultiplier responses to ultra low light signals, capturing the discrete statistical behavior of photoelectron cascades.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel parameterized model and software tool that improve the description of single-photoelectron spectra in complex photomultiplier detectors.

Findings

Successfully describes observed signal amplitude distributions

Represents true single-photoelectron spectra with variable shapes

Provides a software tool for detector performance evaluation

Abstract

A new computational model for the description of the photon detector response functions measured in conditions of low light is presented, together with examples of the observed photomultiplier signal amplitude distributions, successfully described using the parameterized model equation. In extension to the previously known approximations, the new model describes the underlying discrete statistical behavior of the photoelectron cascade multiplication processes in photon detectors with complex non-uniform gain structure of the first dynode. Important features of the model include the ability to represent the true single-photoelectron spectra from different photomultipliers with a variety of parameterized shapes, reflecting the variability in the design and in the individual parameters of the detectors. The new software tool is available for evaluation of the detectors' performance, response, and efficiency parameters that may be used in various applications including the ultra low background experiments such as the searches for Dark Matter and rare decays, underground neutrino studies, optimizing operations of the Cherenkov light detectors, help in the detector selection procedures, and in the experiment simulations.