Optimizing Photon Capture: Advancements in AMCP Technology for Enhanced Timing and Photon Detection Efficiency

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon based microchannel plates (AMCPs) provide unique advantages over conventional glass-based microchannel plates, offering enhanced flexibility in manufacturing and vertical integration with an electronic readout. A high single-channel gain of 1500 could be measured in the latest generation, making them an attractive choice for a wide range of applications, including medical imaging, mass spectrometry, and particle physics experiments. A time resolution of 4.6±0.1ps (FWHM) was measured when an AMCP was connected to an amplifier and exposed to a high photoelectron flux. By decreasing the flux of photoelectrons to roughly a few hundred to thousands, this value increased to 12.6±0.2ps (FWHM). By shortening the distance between the detector and a low noise amplifier, noise on the signal could be significantly reduced, and time resolutions below 10ps were measured even for low fluxes and signal amplitudes. While single-particle detection remains a challenge, our results highlight the exceptional potential of AMCPs in achieving outstanding timing resolution. Additionally, AMCPs with a funnel-shaped channel opening are presented as well, allowing for an active area of the detector of 95% and an electron detection efficiency above 92%, respectively. This novel design has been successfully fabricated and subjected to preliminary testing, showing promising results.