A quantitative approach to select PMTs for large detectors

Abstract Photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) are widely used in neutrino and other experiments for the detection of weak light. To date PMTs are the most sensitive single photon detector per unit area. In addition to the quantum efficiency for photon detection, there are a number of other specifications, such as rate and amplitude of after-pulses, dark noise rate, transit time spread, radioactive background of glass, peak-to-valley ratio, etc. All affect the photon detection and hence the physics goals. In addition, cost is another major factor for large experiments. It is important to know how to properly take into account all these parameters and choose the most appropriate PMTs. In this paper, we present an approach to quantify the impact of all parameters on the physics goals, including cost and risk. This method has been successfully used in the JUNO experiment. It can be applied to other experiments with large number of PMTs.