Time Resolution Performance Studies of Hamamatsu R1564U Microchannel Plate Photomultiplier

Time resolution characteristics of the Hamamatsu R1564U 18 mm-diameter photomultiplier have been investigated. This new prototype high gain photomultiplier has two microchannel plates in cascade for electron multiplication. Some typical photomultiplier characteristics-such as gain, dark current, and output pulse rise and fall times-are compared with data provided by the manufacturer. Photomultiplier characteristics, generally not available from the manufacturer, such as the single photoelectron time spread and pulse-height spectrum for full photocathode illumination, were measured and are discussed.