Fast preamplifier for time-of-flight silicon strip detectors operating in the temperature range from 20°C to −55°C

A fast preamplifier for time-of-flight measurements has been constructed and operated at low temperature (−55°C). The design criteria and performance tests are presented. The measured rise time with a silicon strip detector with a capacitance of 15 pF is 3.2 ns. This preamplifier is employed in a cold silicon strip time-of-flight apparatus which has a time resolution of 120±6 ps at −55°C for minimum ionizing particles of unitary charge.