PMA Hybrid Series

The PMA Hybrid is a compact, single photon sensitive detector based on a fast hybrid photomultiplier tube (R10467 from Hamamatsu) with Peltier cooler to reduce the dark count rate. It features two signal outputs: a negative voltage pulse for timing and counting applications and an analog positive output voltage proportional to the count rate that can be connected to e.g. A/D converters. The detector assembly includes a high voltage power supply, a pre-amplifier with overload protection, and an emergency shut down procedure if the detector count rate reaches a critical limit.

Housing with dedicated RF shielding

The PMA Hybrid is encased in a nickel coated aluminum housing to achieve high level of RF shielding and protection against interference from other devices. The built-in pre-amplifier is specially optimized for timing sensitive applications such as Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC). The output signal of the PMA Hybrid can be accessed through a standard 50 Ohms SMA connector.

Spectral ranges between 220 nm and 890 nm

Five different photocathodes can be incorporated into the PMA Hybrid to meet the user’s needs. The PMA Hybrid 06 and 07 are sensitive in the UV and in the blue spectral region. High detection efficiencies in the visible spectrum (up to 45 % at 500 nm) are achieved with the PMA Hybrid 40. For applications using light at longer wavelengths of the visible spectrum and in the NIR, the PMA Hybrid 42 and 50 are the best choices.

Timing down to 50 ps, negligible afterpulsing

All PMA Hybrid detectors have a very good timing resolution that can even reach values down to 50 ps (FWHM) for the blue sensitive version. In contrast to other detector types, afterpulsing is negligible. This special features makes the PMA Hybrid especially suited for e.g., Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS), where the afterpulsing peak at early lag times often complicates the analysis of the autocorrelation function.

Large active area of several mm

The PMA Hybrid interfaces directly with all PicoQuant TCSPC products such as the TimeHarp 260, PicoHarp 300 or HydraHarp 400. Due to its large active area of up to 6 mm, the detector can be connected to spectrometers such as the FluoTime 300. It can also be attached to Laser Scanning Microscopes in Non-Descanned Detection (NDD) setups via the C-mount adapter. Integration in descanned detection mode or other systems, such as the confocal time-resolved microscope MicroTime 200 is also possible.