Testbench to characterize pixels of the Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov (MAGIC) telescope

Abstract

Photomultipliers have a wide range of applications, from nuclear medicine to nuclear physics. In particular, they are commonly used in high energy physics and astrophysics. The Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov (MAGIC) telescope is an example of their applications. This work presents a test system for the characterization of the transient response of the photomultipliers used as fast light detectors in the telescope. The bias of the photomultiplier is described, taking into account its effects in the response to fast light pulses. Two methods are used to generate these pulses: 1. a specifically designed pulse generator, and 2. a plastic scintillator. For the former case, we also calculate the anode charge we expect in this setup to cross-check it with the actual measurements. (c) 2006 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.