A multi-cathode counter in a single-electron counting mode

Abstract

We describe a work of a multi-cathode counter of the developed design in a single electron counting mode with a cathode made of aluminum alloy. The results of the calibration of the counter are presented. The coefficient of gas amplification was found from the calibration spectra. The electric fields and operation of this detector in two configurations are described and the original idea to find the effect from electrons emitted from the surface of a cathode by difference of the rates measured in two volume configurations is expounded. Furthermore, the advantage of using a multi-cathode counter for measurement of the intensity of single electron emission from a metal is explained.

Results from a hidden photon dark matter search using a multi-cathode counter

“…We have developed a special detector for this study-a multi-cathode counter [3]-and we have previously reported the first results of measurements using a counter with a copper cathode [4]. We have used a new counter of improved design, which employs an aluminium cathode and focusing rings, to make measurements with increased sensitivity [5]. Here we summarise the results of all of our measurements and outline our plans for further research.…”

Search for Hidden Photon Dark Matter Using a Multi-Cathode Counter

“…A schematic of the multi-cathode counter is shown in figure 1. The effect measured by this technique is determined by the difference R M CC of two count rates [1]: the one measured in the Configuration 1 when electrons emitted from a cathode of the counter reach a central wire (anode) 1) E-mail: beril@inr.ru of the counter and the other in the Configuration 2 when the electrons emitted from a cathode are scattered back by the locking negative potential of the second cathode near the first one. If we assume that the emission of the electron is the result of the conversion of a dark photon with mass (energy) m γ ′ , then the power that can be prescribed to this rate R M CC can be expressed as…”

“…So difference R MCC = R 1 -R 2 of the count rates in first and second configurations should give the net effect from single-electrons emitted from an external cathode. To find the efficiency of the counter for single-electron measurements the calibration has been performed by UV mercury vapor lamp through a quartz window in the side of the counter [6].…”

“…Figure 3 shows the region of interest (ROI) used for selection of "true" pulses and distribution of the events for all three sets of measurements. The selection of ROI has been performed from data obtained by calibration of the counter by means of UV Mercury vapor lamp [6]. As the "true" pulses were accepted only the pulses having amplitudes from 3 till 30 mV, duration of the front edge from 2 till 25 µs and a parameter β which is dependent from prehistory of the event from -0.1 till 0.1 which excludes events with strong distortion of the baseline prior the front edge of the pulse.…”

Present Status of the Experiment on the Search for Dark Photons by Multi-Cathode Counter

“…The detector has been placed in a shielding cabinet at sea level. The single electron pulses with an average amplitude of about 9 mV have a Polya distribution [5].…”