Student research opportunities

Characterisation of Electron Multiplier Performance

Project Code: CECS_485

This project is available at the following levels:
Engn4200
Please note that this project is only for undergraduate students.

Supervisor:

Outline:

Australian Scientific Instruments Pty Limited is a Canberra-based company owned by ANU Enterprise, which manufactures the SHRIMP Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe, a world-class high resolution mass spectrometer.
The SHRIMP uses two types of electron multipliers to detect ions; continuous dynode electron multipliers (CDEM, a variant of a channeltron) and discrete dynode electron multipliers (DDEM). The latter are robust and can withstand high signal levels, but are physically large, while the former are smaller, allowing close packing at the spectrometer focal plane, but have shorter lifetimes.
The project would attempt to characterise the lifetime of CDEMs, in terms of gain versus voltage versus input signal flux, in order to determine the most suitable models for use in the SHRIMP, and ways to improve overall instrument performance. The project would require the design of a suitable test apparatus and test methodology, acquisition of data, and analysis of results. Assistance from engineers at ASI with experience in these areas is assumed.

Contact:

Ed Roberts