Characterisation of Hybrid Photodetector Signals for Satellite Laser Ranging Application

Abstract

The hybrid photodetector (HPD) is a photomultiplier tube combined with the semiconductor device within the vacuum. The photoelectrons emitted from the photocathode directly hit the semiconductor enabling efficient electron multiplication with low noise and symmetric output pulse. These properties make a hybrid photodetector a good solution for photon-counting applications. At the Satellite Laser Ranging Station of the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Latvia, the hybrid photodetector characteristics were evaluated for SLR applications, including multiphoton mode and time-walk compensation.