9307 pico-Timing Discriminator

• Ideal for microchannel plate detectors, microchannel plate photomultiplier tubes, channeltrons, fast silicon photodiodes, and fast photomultiplier tubes
• Accepts input pulse widths from 400 ps to 5 ns, and pulse amplitudes from –50 mV to –5 V
• Time slewing <±20 ps from –150 mV to –1.5 V
• Optimized internal pulse shaping eliminates cable adjustment
• One TTL output and two fast negative NIM timing outputs
• Threshold adjustable from –25 mV to –1 V

The ORTEC Model 9307 pico-TIMING Discriminator defines the arrival time of analog pulses from ultra-fast detectors with picosecond precision. Moreover, this superb performance is delivered over an extremely wide range of pulse heights with negligible influence of pulse amplitude on the timing output. With the Model 9307, the difficult task of adjusting pulse-shaping cables has been eliminated. The internal pulse shaping in the pico-TIMING Discriminator is optimum for single-photon or single-ion time measurements with microchannel plate detectors, microchannel plate photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), channeltrons, fast photomultiplier tubes, and fast silicon photodiodes.

The pico-TIMING Discriminator accepts analog input pulses with amplitudes ranging from –50 mV to –5 V, and pulse widths from 400 ps to 5 ns FWHM. The amplitude threshold for generating a timing output is adjustable from –25 mV to –1 V with a 10-turn locking dial.

Ultra-fast circuits are incorporated in the pico-TIMING Discriminator to minimize time slewing. As a result, input amplitudes can vary over as much as a 100:1 range with negligible shift in the timing output. This ensures excellent time resolution, even when the signal source produces a wide range of randomly varying signal amplitudes. A front-panel screwdriver adjustment permits fine-tuning the slewing compensation to match the characteristics of a particular detector. An adjacent test point makes it easy to monitor the adjustment with a voltmeter.

Two fast negative NIM outputs provide the flexibility to trigger a time-to-amplitude converter (TAC) while simultaneously driving other instruments. The 500-ns-wide TTL output can be used with instruments that require a positive logic signal, such as counters and ratemeters. A front-panel LED flashes with each output pulse to indicate triggering.

For detectors having rise times less than 1 ns, the ORTEC Model 9306 1-GHz Preamplifier should be used to amplify small signals before presentation to the input of the Model 9307 pico-TIMING Discriminator. For rise times >1 ns, the Model VT120 Fast-Timing Preamplifier should be substituted for the Model 9306. The Model 9307 incorporates a compatible, 9-pin D connector on its rear panel to supply power to either preamplifier.

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