Development of fast PhotoMultiplier Tubes for ICF reaction history measurements

We have recently been developing Photo-Multiplier Tubes (PMTs) with improved temporal responses for the detection of Cherenkov light in a Gamma Reaction History diagnostic to be fielded on the National Ignition Facility. A Gas Cherenkov Detector has been fielded on the Omega Laser Facility, where reaction histories in the order of a few hundred picoseconds have been measured. We will describe the development and results obtained from recently developed PMTs incorporating small pore micro-channel plates producing a much smaller signal spreading. We will describe the production, characterisation and application of these PMTs in the Gas Cherenkov detector. We will also describe further and proposed research including asymmetric response detectors with improved rise times, detectors with CVD diamond films as the electron amplification medium, the use of segmented anodes to improve signal fall times and electronic ringing artefacts which become more dominant as detector response times improve.