# A quantitative approach to select PMTs for large detectors

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantitative method to select photomultiplier tubes for large detectors by evaluating multiple parameters, including cost and risk, to optimize physics goals, demonstrated in the JUNO experiment.

## Contribution

The paper presents a novel approach to quantify and incorporate various PMT parameters, cost, and risk into the selection process for large-scale experiments.

## Key findings

- Method successfully applied in the JUNO experiment
- Provides a comprehensive framework for PMT selection
- Enhances optimization of detector performance and cost-efficiency

## Abstract

Photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) are widely used in neutrino and other experiments for the detection of weak light. To date PMTs are the most sensitive single photon detector per unit area. In addition to the quantum efficiency for photon detection, there are a number of other specifications, such as rate and amplitude of after-pulses, dark noise rate, transit time spread, radioactive background of glass, peak-to-valley ratio, etc. All affect the photon detection and hence the physics goals. In addition, cost is another major factor for large experiments. It is important to know how to properly take into account all these parameters and choose the most appropriate PMTs. In this paper, we present an approach to quantify the impact of all parameters on the physics goals, including cost and risk. This method has been successfully used in the JUNO experiment. It can be applied to other experiments with large number of PMTs.