The Preamplified Spiraltron Electron Multiplier

Abstract

A new channel electron multiplier having a simple straight line geometry that preserves the desirable pulse characteristics of the curved channel is described. The channel consists of a Spiraltron element (a length of glass tubing twisted about its central axis) preceded by a preamplifier element to increase the geometrical open area ratio of the device. Experimental results have indicated that the new multiplier, which has a maximum operating voltage of 5.5 kV, an input aperture 1 cm in diameter, and a dark pulse count rate of <0.5 count/sec, is comparable to or better than the best curved channels in all properties except FWHM.