Digitisation of the GABRIELA Time-of-Flight

Abstract : The resolution of a time-of-flight measurement of alpha particles using two Micro-Channel Plates (MCP) in a completely digital electronics chain compares favourably to the classic analogue approach [1] : σ(DIGITAL) = 0.48(4) ns cf σ(ANALOGUE) = 0.88(1) ns. However, a dependence on alpha particle energy on the resolution needs further investigation. Additional measurements using one foil and the DSSD (Double-sided Silicon Strip Detector) will be performed when a shorter cable between the detector and preamplifier (implying less stray capacitance and thus faster DSSD signal rise-time) is made. However, we can already state that the preliminary (not optimised) results using a long signal cable are promising with σ(MCP−DSSD) < 1.4(1) ns. 1 since these tests were performed the TAC module has been replaced and the MCP preamplifiers upgraded