Research progress on long lifetime MCP-PMT for the DTOF detector in STCF

The Super Tau Charm Facility (STCF) is a state-of-the-art electron-positron collider operating in the center-of-mass energy range of 2–7[Formula: see text]GeV and achieving a peak luminosity of more than [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm −2 s −1 , which is pivotal for advancing particle physics research. The DIRC-like time-of-flight (DTOF) detector is one of the crucial components of the STCF, designed to identify high-momentum charged particles with high precision. A significant element of the DTOF is the microchannel plate photomultiplier tube (MCP-PMT), known for its exceptional time resolution in the detection of Cherenkov light. With the STCF expected to operate for over a decade, stringent requirements are imposed on the MCP-PMT, requiring an integrated anode charge (IAC) in excess of 10[Formula: see text]C/cm 2 . In this paper, the lifetime of the single anode MCP-PMT prototypes is investigated and a multi-anode MCP-PMT design is presented. The results show that the lifetime of the single anode MCP-PMT is greater than 11[Formula: see text]C/cm 2 when a 6 nm-thick ALD layer is deposited on the inner surface of the MCP and an electron scrubbing dosage of 0.75[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]h/cm 2 is applied to the MCP. The lifetime is expected to be further improved by increasing the electron scrubbing dosage and optimizing the ALD layer. The studies on the single anode MCP-PMTs will be applied to the development of the long-life multi-anode MCP-PMT.