English

Optical properties of bialkali photocathodes

Instrumentation and Detectors 2008-11-26 v1

Abstract

The optical properties of the `bialkali' KCsSb and RbCsSb photomultiplier cathodes have been experimentally investigated in the visible range. The measurements carried out include the absolute reflectance at near-normal incidence, the polarization-dependent relative reflectance at various angles and the change in polarization upon reflection from the photocathode. These experimental inputs have been combined with a theoretical model to determine the complex refractive index of the photocathodes in the wavelength range 380 to 680 nm and their thickness. As a result of this work, we derive a model which predicts the fraction of light impinging on a photomultiplier tube that is reflected, absorbed or transmitted, as a function of wavelength and angle, and dependent on the medium to which the photomultiplier is coupled.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.physics/0408075,
  title  = {Optical properties of bialkali photocathodes},
  author = {Dario Motta and Stefan Schoenert},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:physics/0408075},
  year   = {2008}
}

Comments

51 pages (double spacing), 16 figures, submitted for publication in NIM A

R2 v1 2026-07-22T19:00:20.707Z