Subnanosecond detector developments at ITT

This paper describes the performance characteristics of the following four new types of subnanosecond optical detectors: (1) a triplanar phototube with 100-150 ps FWHM response and less-than-unit gain, (2) a microchannel plate photomultiplier tube with 300-500 ps FWHM response and up to one-million gain, (3) a magnetically focused, electrostatically deflected streak tube with a 10 ps time resolution capability, and (4) an all-electrostatic circular-scan streak tube with a 7 ps time resolution capability. The first two detectors convert a fast input optical pulse, or chain of pulses, directly to a fast output pulse (or output pulse chain) in a coaxial transmission line, while the latter two detectors convert a fast input optical pulse to an intensity-modulated, spatially distributed output optical image.