A Scintillation Detector with a Barium Fluoride Crystal and a Photomultiplier with an AlGaN-based Photocathode and Microchannel Plates

Abstract

BaF2 crystals are considered as a perspective scintillator to create detectors for high-energy physics. An attention of physicist is attracted by its high radiation strength and short decay time (<1ns) of the fast emission component in the 190-250 nm wavelength range. This may allow creating reliable detectors with high time resolution and short dead time. However high level of the slow emission component requires special approaches to decrease it. Using solar-blind photodetectors is one of the possible solutions. In this work a solar blind photomultiplier with microchannel plates that uses a UVC-range AlGaN photocathode is described. The results of cosmic ray tests that show its efficiency to register the fast emission component of BaF2 crystals and suppress the slow component are presented.