Abstract
A unique multichannel photoelectron counting system can be made by using self-scanning semiconductor arrays in the electron bombardment induced mode provided the SNR in the self-scanning arrays permits the detection of single electrons. To investigate this in an experimental program, self-scanning light sensitive diode arrays were subjected to electron bombardment. In one experiment, a radioactive source Ni63 was used to show that the 128 element (Reticon RL128L) self-scanned linear diode arrays were responsive to electrons, and good agreement could be derived between the high energy portion of the incident and measured fluxes. In another experiment using an electron accelerator and 42-keV electrons, clear resolution of the pulse distribution peaks was obtained due to single, double, and triple incidences of electrons. The relative heights of the observed peaks obeyed a Poisson distribution as expected for random electron incidence. The incorporation of this device into a photoelectronic tube will result in a self-scanned photoelectronic detector closely approaching the theoretical performance limit.
© 1975 Optical Society of America
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