Photomultiplier Tubes: Operation and Applications

This lecture covers the operation of photomultiplier tubes, starting with the photoelectric effect and the emission of electrons under illumination. It explains the circuit used to collect the total current by the anode and the role of the transimpedance amplifier. The lecture also delves into the principle of photoemission and the necessity of a vacuum to avoid electron-atom collisions. Furthermore, it discusses the multiplication of electrons through impacts on dynodes and the conversion of current to voltage. The resolution of photomultiplier tubes can reach up to detecting a single photon. Additionally, the lecture explores Doppler velocimetry, which measures the speed of a target by analyzing the Doppler frequency shift between emitted and reflected light signals.