photomultiplier tube
Electron cascade detector
A photomultiplier tube is an electronic device that detects light and amplifies the signal, converting extremely faint light—down to individual photons—into measurable electrical current.
The tube uses a cascade of electrodes to multiply the initial signal many times over.
Photomultiplier tubes are essential in scientific instruments, medical imaging, and particle physics experiments where detecting low light levels matters.
Successive downward flow
- gainPositive return received
- anodeOxidation electrode
- secondary emissionParticles released by impact
- voltageElectrical potential difference
current · pulse · stages · electron avalanche · high voltage
Study of light-matter interaction
- particle physicsStudy of subatomic constituents
- fluorescenceLight emitted after absorption
- nuclear medicineHealthcare using radioactive materials
- astronomyScience of celestial objects
luminescence · mass spectrometry · bioluminescence · threshold · calorimeter · PET scanner
Responsiveness to stimuli
- noiseUnwanted auditory disturbance
- signal-to-noiseProportion of meaning to clutter
- response timeInterval before reacting
- dynamic rangeSignal amplitude span
cascade
Successive downward flow
- gainPositive return received
- anodeOxidation electrode
- secondary emissionParticles released by impact
voltage · current · pulse · stages · electron avalanche · high voltage
spectroscopy
Study of light-matter interaction
- particle physicsStudy of subatomic constituents
- fluorescenceLight emitted after absorption
- nuclear medicineHealthcare using radioactive materials
astronomy · luminescence · mass spectrometry · bioluminescence · threshold · calorimeter · PET scanner
sensitivity
Responsiveness to stimuli
- noiseUnwanted auditory disturbance
- signal-to-noiseProportion of meaning to clutter
- response timeInterval before reacting
dynamic range · linearity · resolution · transit time · cooling
- tubestube, tubing, rubber tubing, test tube, inner tube
- spectroscopyspectrum, spectrometer, spectroscope, spectrograph, spectrogram
- discharge tubesfluorescent tube, neon tube, neon lamp, neon light, neon bulb
- fluorescencefluorescence, fluorescent dye, fluorescein, emission spectrum, quenching
- fluorescence instruments
- Neutrinosantineutrino, antineutrinos
photomultiplier tubephotodiode
Light-to-current semiconductor
solar cell · photoresistor · phototransistor · power meter · light meter
photomultiplier tubelight-emitting diode
Semiconductor producing photons from current
light source · LED · cathode ray tube · lamp · laser diode