ET Enterprises - Electron Tubes

Faq 008

I ordered a 9112B together with a voltage divider C6007AFN2. I am not sure whether to regard the output signal as a current or voltage. What is the difference between having an anode load or no anode load as described in your brochure?

Regards,

Ms Libei.


 

Dear Ms Libei,

The photomultiplier is a current generator and if you want a voltage signal then you must allow the current to flow in a resistor.

You can either connect the anode output to a resistor to ground and pick off the signal with an oscilloscope if you just want to look at the output for initial tests. Or you can connect the anode to the input of an op amp wired in the transimpedance mode. In this case you have a feedback resistor across which you can connect a capacitor to set the bandwidth you want. The op amp has a low output impedance so you can drive other electronics from it.

We have recently produced a technical paper on 'The use of amplifiers with photomultipliers' RP094 in out technical paper series. You can dowload a copy, in PDF format from here.

Regards,

Photomultiplier Doctor.