Thomson spectrometer-microchannel plate assembly calibration for MeV-range positive and negative ions, and neutral atoms

Thomson spectrometer-microchannel plate assembly calibration for MeV-range positive and negative ions, and neutral atoms

Citation

Citation for "Thomson spectrometer–microchannel plate assembly calibration for MeV-range positive and negative ions, and neutral atoms":

Prasad, R., Abicht, F., Borghesi, M., Braenzel, J., Nickles, P. V., Priebe, G., Schnürer, M., & Ter-Avetisyan, S. (2013). Thomson spectrometer-microchannel plate assembly calibration for MeV-range positive and negative ions, and neutral atoms. Review of Scientific Instruments, 84(5), Article 053302. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4803670

Keywords

  • Calibration
  • Microchannel plate (MCP) detector
  • Thomson parabola spectrometer
  • Ion acceleration
  • Laser-driven acceleration
  • Positive ions
  • Negative ions
  • Neutral atoms
  • CR-39 detector
  • Water spray target

Brief

The absolute calibration of a microchannel plate (MCP) detector used in a Thomson parabola spectrometer was performed to determine the relation between registered counts in the CCD camera and the number of ions incident on the MCP. 

Summary

Scientists calibrated the response of a microchannel plate (MCP) detector used with a Thomson parabola spectrometer. The calibration process determined the relationship between the number of ions that hit the MCP and the count numbers registered by the CCD camera used to capture the image from the MCP. The researchers evaluated the MCP's particle response at energies less than 1 MeV using positive, negative, and neutral particles. Calibration is essential for accurate experimental result interpretation because MCP response depends on the energy and species of the ions. A high-power laser was used to power a unique source of fast ions and atoms, and the calibration method and arrangement used exploited the source's unique emission symmetry.

The MCP response to protons (in the energy range of 0.170–1 MeV), O+ and O2+ (in the energy range of 0.4–2 MeV), O−, and neutral hydrogen and oxygen atoms were evaluated. The study found that MCP response was independent of charge but dependent on the species. The calibration supplements and extends previous calibrations.

Origin: https://pureadmin.qub.ac.uk/ws/files/5228252/RevSciInstrum_84_053302.pdf

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