Development and characterization of hybrid MCP-PMT with embedded Timepix4 ASIC used as pixelated anode

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel single-photon detector integrating a vacuum tube with a Timepix4 ASIC as a pixelated anode, achieving high photon rate handling, excellent spatial and temporal resolutions, and detailed characterization of prototypes.

Contribution

The paper presents the development of a hybrid MCP-PMT with embedded Timepix4 ASIC, enabling high-rate photon detection with integrated data acquisition and detailed performance characterization.

Findings

Photon rate handling up to 1 billion per second

Spatial resolution of 5-10 μm and temporal resolution below 50 ps

Prototype characterization including dark counts, gain, and resolutions

Abstract

We present a novel single-photon detector based on a vacuum tube incorporating a photocathode, a microchannel plate (MCP), and a Timepix4 CMOS ASIC functioning as a pixelated anode. Designed to handle photon rates up to 1 billion per second across a 7 cm$^2$ active area, the detector achieves outstanding spatial and temporal resolutions of 5-10 $\mu$m and below 50 ps r.m.s., respectively. The Timepix4 ASIC comprises approximately 230,000 pixels, each integrating analog and digital front-end electronics. This enables data-driven acquisition and supports data transmission rates up to 160 Gb/s. External FPGA-based electronics manage both configuration and readout. In order to test the timing performance of the Timepix4 ASIC we performed preliminary characterization of an assembly bonded to a 100 $\mu$m thick n-on-p silicon sensor using a pulsed infrared laser, which demonstrated a per-pixel timing resolution of 110 ps, with cluster-based averaging methods improving to below 50 ps. Six prototype detectors incorporating different MCP stack configurations and end-spoiling depths were produced by Hamamatsu Photonics. We report on their characterization, including dark count rates, gain, and spatial and timing resolutions, assessed both in laboratory conditions and during a test-beam campaign at CERN's SPS facility.