title: Enhancing the Linear Dynamic Range in Multi-Channel Single Photon Detector beyond 7OD.
abstract: We present design, implementation, and characterization of a single photon detector based on 32-channel PMT sensor [model H7260-20, Hamamatsu]. The developed high speed electronics enables the photon counting with linear dynamic range (LDR) up to 108count/s per detector's channel. The experimental characterization and Monte-Carlo simulations showed that in the single photon counting mode the LDR of the PMT sensor is limited by (i) "photon" pulse width (current pulse) of 900ps and (ii) substantial decrease of amplitudes of current pulses for count rates exceeding 108count/s. The multi-channel architecture of the detector and the developed firm/software allow further expansion of the dynamic range of the device by 32-fold by using appropriate beam shaping. The developed single photon counting detector was tested for the detection of fluorescence labeled microbeads in capillary flow.
authors.affiliation: Advanced BioMedical Machines Inc., Setauket, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Dmytro
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gudkov
authors.affiliation: SUNY SB, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gudkov
authors.affiliation: Advanced BioMedical Machines Inc., Setauket, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gorbovitski
authors.affiliation: SUNY SB, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gorfinkel
keywords: fluorescence detection; photomultipliers; single photon counting