title: Imaging photomultiplier array with integrated amplifiers and high-speed USB interface.
abstract: Multianode photomultiplier tube (PMT) arrays are finding application as convenient high-speed light sensitive devices for plasma imaging. This paper describes the development of a USB-based "plug-n-play" 16-channel PMT camera with 16 bits simultaneous acquisition of 16 signal channels at rates up to 2 MSs per channel. The preamplifiers and digital hardware are packaged in a compact housing which incorporates magnetic shielding, on-board generation of the high-voltage PMT bias, an optical filter mount and slits, and F-mount lens adaptor. Triggering, timing, and acquisition are handled by four field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) under instruction from a master FPGA controlled by a computer with a LABVIEW interface. We present technical design details and specifications and illustrate performance with high-speed images obtained on the H-1 heliac at the ANU.
authors.affiliation: Plasma Research Laboratory, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blacksell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wach
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Collis
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Blackwell
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Andruczyk
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: James