Polyakov, S.
(2013),
Photomultiplier tubes, Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=914456
(Accessed October 27, 2025)
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Photomultiplier tubes
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Abstract
Photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), also known as photomultipliers, are remarkable devices. While a PMT was the rst device to detect light at the single photon level, invented more than 80 years ago, they are widely used to this day, particularly in biological and medical applications. Modern PMTs deliver low noise and low jitter detection over a wide dynamic range. However, they o er limited detection eciency, especially for longer wavelengths. We discuss the physical mechanisms behind the photon detection in PMTs, the history of their development and the key characteristics of PMTs in photon-counting mode. BRIEF HISTORYCitation
Single-Photon Generation and Detection: Physics and Applications
Publisher Info
Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA
Pub Type
Books
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Keywords
photomultiplier, single-photon detector, secondary emission, photoeffect
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Created November 29, 2013, Updated February 19, 2017