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Description
Electron signal amplifiers such as microchannel plates (MCPs) or channeltron electron multipliers (CEMs) play an important role in particle detection and beam diagnostics across a wide range of applications in industry and R&D. To collect the amplified signals, various types of anodes are used with these electron multipliers to extract spatial and/or temporal information from the charge clouds generated by particle impacts [1].
We present a new anode design based on ultra-high-vacuum-compatible polyimide laminates used as a substrate for printed circuit board (PCB) layouts [2]. This approach enables excellent particle timing performance due to embedded polyimide-core decoupling capacitors and impedance-matched signal transmission lines [3]. While most anode designs rely on external signal decoupling circuits, we employ an in-vacuo high-pass filter to extract fast timing signals with higher bandwidth and improved signal-to- noise ratio. The method allows for a customized layout of parallel-operated segmented anode patches to differentiate impact locations, e.g., with an MCP.
The flexible nature of the laminates allows for flat waveguide strips and the ability to bend parts of the PCB in arbitrary directions without mechanical or electrical failure. These printed transmission lines are better suited for signal extraction in small vacuum installations compared to rigid coaxial cables, which are typically required for high-frequency applications. This technology platform paves the way for compact, tailor-made, or more complex vacuum circuits.
[1] T. Iijima, Nucl. Instrum. Meth. A 639, 137 (2011).
[2] M. Kendler et al., accepted in Rev. Sci. Instrum. (2026).
[3] P. Wurz and L. Gubler, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 65, 871 (1994).