Patent Grant
7977878
The present invention relates to a photomultiplier having an electron multiplier section which multiplies in a cascading manner photoelectrons generated by a photocathode, and a method of manufacturing the same.
Photomultipliers (PMT: Photo-Multiplier Tube) have conventionally been known as a photosensor. A photomultiplier comprises a photocathode for converting light into electrons, a focusing electrode, an electron multiplier section, and an anode, which are accommodated in a vacuum envelope. When light is incident on the photocathode in the photomultiplier, photoelectrons are emitted from the photocathode into the vacuum envelope. The photoelectron is guided to the electron multiplier section by the focusing electrode, and is multiplied in a cascading manner by the electron multiplier section. As a signal, the anode outputs electrons having arrived thereat among those multiplied (see the following Patent Documents 1 and 2).
The inventors have studied conventional photomultipliers in detail, and as a result, have found problems as follows.
Namely, as photosensors have been widening the scope of their application, smaller photomultipliers have been in demand. On the other hand, as such a photomultiplier has thus been made smaller, high-precision processing techniques have been required for components constituting the photomultiplier. In particular, as members themselves are made finer, an accurate arrangement is hard to realize between the members, and fluctuations in detection accuracy among the photomultipliers manufactured become greater.
In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a photomultiplier having a structure which can achieve a smaller size more easily than conventional cases while in a state keeping a high detection accuracy and is easy to process finely, and a method of manufacturing the same.
The photomultiplier according to the present invention is a photosensor having an electron multiplier section for multiplying in a cascading manner photoelectrons generated by a photocathode, and encompasses, depending on the position where the photocathode is arranged, a photomultiplier having a transmission-type photocathode which emits the photoelectrons in the same direction as the incident direction of light, and a photomultiplier having a reflection-type photocathode which emits photoelectrons in a direction different from the incident direction of light.
In particular, the photomultiplier comprises an enclosure keeping the inside of the photomultiplier in a vacuum state, a photocathode accommodated in the enclosure, an electron multiplier section accommodated in the enclosure, and an anode at least partly accommodated in the enclosure. The enclosure has at least a part constructed by a glass substrate having a flat part. The photocathode emits photoelectrons to the inside of the enclosure according to light captured through the enclosure. The electron multiplier section is arranged on a predetermined area of the flat part in the glass substrate, and multiplies in a cascading manner the photoelectrons emitted from the photocathode. The anode is arranged on an area excluding the area where the electron multiplier section is arranged on the flat part in the glass substrate, and functions as an electrode which takes out electrons having arrived thereat among electrons multiplied in a cascading manner in the electron multiplier section as a signal. Thus, the electron multiplier section and anode are arranged two-dimensionally on the flat part in the glass substrate, whereby the apparatus as a whole can be made smaller.
Preferably, the enclosure comprises a lower frame which is the glass substrate, an upper frame opposing the lower frame, and a side wall frame which is provided between the upper and lower frames and has a form surrounding the electron multiplier section and anode. It will be preferred in particular if the side wall frame is integrally formed with the electron multiplier section and anode by etching one silicon substrate. Such a structure can easily realize fine processing, thus yielding a photomultiplier having a smaller size. In this case, the electron multiplier section and anode integrally formed with the side wall frame are also comprised of a silicon material. Preferably, the electron multiplier section and anode are fixed to the glass substrate by a method other than welding. It will be preferred, for example, if the electron multiplier section and anode comprised of a silicon material are fixed to the glass substrate by any of anodic bonding and diffusion bonding. The side wall frame and the glass substrate (lower frame) are joined to each other by any of anodic bonding and diffusion bonding as a matter of course. Such fixation by anodic bonding or diffusion bonding can minimize troubles such as the occurrence of foreign matters at the time of welding and the like.
The electron multiplier section has a plurality of grooves extending such that electrons run along a direction intersecting a direction in which the photocathode emits the photoelectrons. Since the grooves in the electron multiplier section extend such that the electron runs along a direction intersecting the direction in which the photocathode emits the photoelectrons, a smaller size can be attained as compared with a structure in which an electron multiplier section is formed along a direction in which the photocathode emits the photoelectrons.
In the photomultiplier according to the present invention, the electron multiplier section causes electrons to collide against each of a pair of side walls defining each groove, thereby effecting a cascade multiplication. Causing electrons to collide against each of a pair of side walls defining each groove effects a more efficient cascade multiplication. Preferably, in the photomultiplier according to the present invention, each side wall defining the groove is provided with a protrusion. Providing the side wall with the protrusion allows electrons to collide against the side wall by a predetermined distance, thereby enabling a more efficient cascade multiplication.
Preferably, in the photomultiplier according to the present invention, the electron multiplier section and anode are arranged on the flat part in the glass substrate while in a state separated by a predetermined distance from the side wall frame constituting a part of the enclosure. In this case, each of the electron multiplier section and anode can minimize the influence of external noise through the side wall frame, whereby a high detection accuracy can be obtained.
Preferably, in the photomultiplier according to the present invention, the upper frame is comprised of one of glass and silicon materials. When the upper frame is comprised of a glass material, it will be preferred if the upper frame is joined to the side wall frame by anodic bonding or diffusion bonding such that the upper frame and lower frame sandwich the side wall frame therebetween as in the joining of the glass substrate (lower frame) and side wall frame to each other. Thus, any of anodic bonding and diffusion bonding (the bonding of the lower frame and side wall frame and the bonding of the side wall frame and upper frame) vacuum-seals the enclosure, whereby the enclosure can be processed easily. The upper frame comprised of the glass material can function by itself as a transmitting window.
The upper frame may also be comprised of a silicon material. In this case, the upper frame is formed with a transmitting window in order to transmit therethrough a predetermined wavelength of light toward the photocathode accommodated in the enclosure. The side wall frame may be provided with the transmitting window as well.
A method of manufacturing the photomultiplier having the above-mentioned structure (the method of manufacturing a photomultiplier according to the present invention) initially prepares a lower frame, comprised of a glass material, constituting a part of the enclosure; a side wall frame constituting a part of the enclosure, the side wall frame being formed together with the electron multiplier section and anode by etching one silicon substrate; and an upper frame constituting a part of the enclosure.
Subsequently, the side wall frame is integrally fixed to the lower frame together with the electron multiplier section and anode by any of anodic bonding and diffusion bonding.
In the method of manufacturing a photomultiplier according to the present invention, the above-mentioned side wall frame is not required to be a silicon frame integrally formed with the electron multiplier section and anode. This manufacturing method is applicable to the manufacture of a photomultiplier which comprises an enclosure constructed by a lower frame, a side wall frame, and an upper frame, while having an inside kept in a vacuum state; a photocathode accommodated in the enclosure; an electron multiplier section accommodated in the enclosure; and an anode at least partly accommodated in the enclosure. First, in this case, each of a lower frame comprised of a glass material constituting a part of the enclosure, a side wall frame comprised of a silicon material constituting a part of the enclosure, and an upper frame constituting a part of the enclosure is prepared. Then, the side wall frame is joined to the lower frame by any of anodic bonding and diffusion bonding.
When the upper frame is comprised of a glass material here, the upper frame is joined to the side wall frame by any of anode bonding and diffusion bonding such that the upper frame and lower frame sandwich the side wall frame therebetween.
When the upper frame is comprised of a silicon material, on the other hand, the upper frame is formed with a transmitting window. The place where the transmitting window is formed is not limited to the upper frame, whereby the side wall frame may be formed with a transmitting window, for example.
The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be considered as limiting the present invention.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
The present invention yields a photomultiplier having a structure which can easily realize fine processing while in a state keeping a high detection accuracy.
1
a . . . photomultiplier; 2 . . . upper frame; 3 . . . side wall frame; 4 . . . lower frame (glass substrate); 22 . . . photocathode; 31 . . . electron multiplier section; 32 . . . anode; and 42 . . . anode terminal.
In the following, embodiments of a photomultiplier and method of manufacturing the same according to the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to
The side wall frame 3 is constructed by a rectangular flat silicon substrate 30 as a base material. A depression 301 and a penetrating part 302 are formed from the main face 30a of the silicon substrate 30 toward its opposing face 30b. The depression 301 and penetrating part 302, each having a rectangular opening, are connected to each other, while their outer peripheries are formed in conformity to the outer periphery of the silicon substrate 30.
An electron multiplier section 31 is formed within the depression 301. The electron multiplier section 31 has a plurality of wall parts 311 erected so as to extend along each other from the bottom part 301a of the depression 301. Thus, grooves are constructed between the wall parts 311. Side walls (side walls defining the grooves) of the wall parts 311 and the bottom part 301a are formed with secondary electron emitting surfaces comprised of a secondary electron emitting material. Each of the wall parts 311 is provided along the longitudinal axis of the depression 301, whereas its one end is arranged with a predetermined distance from one end of the depression 301, and the other end is arranged at a position reaching the penetrating part 302. An anode 32 is arranged within the penetrating part 302. The anode 32 is arranged with a gap from inner walls of the penetrating part 302, and is fixed to the lower frame 4 by anodic bonding or diffusion bonding.
The lower frame 4 is constructed by a rectangular flat glass substrate 40 as a base material. Holes 401, 402, and 403 are provided from the main face 40a of the glass substrate 40 toward its opposing face 40b. A photocathode-side terminal 41, an anode terminal 42, and an anode-side terminal 43 are inserted and fixed into the holes 401, 402, and 403, respectively. The anode terminal 42 is in contact with the anode 32 of the side wall frame 3.
The depression 301 and penetrating part 302 are arranged at a position corresponding to the depression 201 of the upper frame 2. The electron multiplier section 31 is arranged in the depression 301 of the side wall frame 3, while a gap 301b is formed between one end wall of the depression 301 and the electron multiplier section 31. In this case, the electron multiplier section 31 of the side wall frame 3 is positioned directly under the photocathode 22 of the upper frame 2. The anode 32 is arranged within the penetrating part 302 of the side wall frame 3. The anode 32 is arranged so as to be out of contact with inner walls of the penetrating part 302, whereby a gap 302a is formed between the anode 32 and penetrating part 302. The anode 32 is fixed to the main face 40a (see
The face 30b (see
Since the photocathode-side terminal 401 and anode-side terminal 403 of the lower frame 4 are in contact with the silicon substrate 30 of the side wall frame 3, a potential difference can be generated in the longitudinal direction of the silicon substrate 30 (a direction intersecting a direction in which photoelectrons are emitted from the photocathode 22, i.e., a direction in which secondary electrons run in the electron multiplier section 31) when predetermined voltages are applied to the photocathode-side terminal 401 and the anode-side terminal 403, respectively. The anode terminal 402 of the lower frame 4 is in contact with the anode 32 of the side wall frame 3, and thus can take out electrons having arrived at the anode 32 as signals.
The photomultiplier 1a operates as follows. Namely, voltages of −2000 V and 0 V are applied to the photocathode-side terminal 401 and anode-side terminal 403 of the lower frame 4, respectively. The resistance of the silicon substrate 30 is about 10 MΩ. The resistance value of the silicon substrate 30 can be adjusted by the volume of the silicon substrate 30, e.g., the thickness thereof. For example, reducing the thickness of the silicon substrate can increase the resistance value. When light is incident on the photocathode 22 here through the upper frame 2 comprised of a glass material, the photocathode 22 emits photoelectrons toward the side wall frame 3. Thus emitted photoelectrons reach the electron multiplier section 31 positioned directly under the photocathode 22. Since a potential difference is generated in the longitudinal direction of the silicon substrate 30, the photoelectrons having reached the electron multiplier section 31 are directed toward the anode 32. The electron multiplier section 31 is formed with grooves defined by a plurality of wall parts 311. Therefore, the photoelectrons having reached the electron multiplier section 31 from the photocathode 22 collide against the side walls of the wall parts 311 and the bottom part 301a between the opposing side walls 311, thereby emitting a plurality of secondary electrons. The electron multiplier section 31 successively performs cascade multiplications of the secondary electrons, thereby generating 105 to 107 secondary electrons per electron reaching the electron multiplier section from the photocathode. Thus generated secondary electrons reach the anode 32, and are taken out as signals from the anode terminal 402.
A method of manufacturing the photomultiplier according to the first embodiment will now be explained. When manufacturing the photomultiplier, a silicon substrate (a constituent material for the side wall frame 3 in
First, as shown in the area (a) of
After removing the resist film 70 from the state shown in the area (b) of
After removing the thermally oxidized silicon film 61 from the state of the area (d) in
Subsequently, as shown in the area (b) of
The silicon substrate 50 and glass substrate 80 having processed to the area (a) of
In the photomultiplier according to the second embodiment, the silicon substrate 30 is formed with a photocathode 22 at an end part positioned on the side opposite from the anode 32 in end parts of the electron multiplier section 31 as shown in the area (a) of
Because of this configuration, the photocathode 22 having received the light transmitted through the glass substrate 20 constituting the upper frame 2 as a transmitting window emits photoelectrons toward the anode 32 in the photomultiplier according to the second embodiment. While the photoelectrons from the photocathode 22 propagate through the grooves toward the anode 32, they collide against side faces of the wall parts 311 and the bottom parts 301a between the opposing wall parts 311, thereby emitting secondary electrons. Electrons which are thus successively multiplied in a cascading manner reach the anode 32 (see the area (c) in
As shown in
Because of this configuration, the photocathode 22 having received the light transmitted through the glass substrate 20 constituting the upper frame 2 as a transmitting window emits photoelectrons toward the electron multiplier section 31 in the photomultiplier according to the third embodiment. While the photoelectrons from the photocathode 22 propagate through the grooves in the electron multiplier section 31 toward the anode 32, they collide against side faces of the wall parts 311 and the bottom parts 301a between the opposing wall parts 311, thereby emitting secondary electrons. Electrons which are thus successively multiplied in a cascading manner reach the anode 32. Here,
In the photomultipliers of transmission type and reflection type according to the above-mentioned first to third embodiments, the electron multiplier section 31 arranged within the enclosure is integrally formed while in contact with the silicon substrate 30 constituting the side wall frame 3. When the side wall frame 3 and the electron multiplier section 31 are in contact with each other, however, there is a possibility of the electron multiplier section 31 being affected by external noise through the side wall frame 3, thus lowering the detection accuracy.
In the photomultiplier according to the fourth embodiment, the electron multiplier section 31 and anode 32 integrally formed with the side wall frame 3 are arranged on the flat part in the glass substrate 40 (lower frame 4) while in a state each separated by a predetermined distance from the side wall frame 3. Here, the area (a) in
In each of the above-mentioned transmission-type and reflection-type photomultipliers according to the first to fourth embodiments, the upper frame 2 is constructed by the glass substrate 20, whereas the glass substrate 20 itself functions as a transmitting window. However, the upper frame 2 may be constructed by a silicon substrate as well. In this case, any of the upper frame 2 or side wall frame 3 is formed with a transmitting window.
For example,
In the case where a silicon substrate 200 is employed alone as the upper frame 2, one face of the prepared silicon substrate 200 is initially formed with grooves each having a width of several μm or less with an appropriate depth as shown in the area (a) of
For forming the transmitting window by thermally oxidizing the silicon substrate 200, methods other than the forming method shown in
Thus formed transmitting window may also be provided in the side wall frame 3 comprised of a silicon material.
The photomultiplier according to the fifth embodiment differs from the photomultipliers according to the first to fourth embodiments in that the upper frame 2 is constructed by a silicon substrate 200. The fifth embodiment has the same structure as that of the photomultiplier according to the first embodiment except that it is a transmission-type photomultiplier in which the side wall frame 3 is provided with a transmitting window while the photocathode 22 is formed on the inside of the transmitting window.
In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the silicon substrate and glass substrate are joined together by anodic bonding or diffusion bonding. Such anodic bonding or diffusion bonding can minimize troubles such as the occurrence of foreign matters at the time of welding and the like.
Specifically, anodic bonding is performed by an apparatus such as the one shown in the area (a) of
The silicon substrate 200 and glass substrate 20 can be joined together by diffusion bonding as well. The area (b) in
The method of manufacturing a photomultiplier according to the present invention can manufacture not only the photomultiplier having the structure mentioned above, but also photomultipliers having various structures.
The side wall frame 12 is provided with a number of holes 121 parallel to the cylinder axis of the silicon substrate 12a. The inside of each hole 121 is formed with a secondary electron emitting surface. A surface electrode 122 and a back electrode 123 are arranged near opening parts at both ends of each hole 121, respectively. The area (b) in
The first lower frame 13 is a member for connecting the side wall frame 12 and second lower frame 14 to each other, and is anodically bonded (may be diffusion-bonded) to both of the side wall frame 12 and second lower frame 14.
The second lower frame 13 is constructed by a silicon substrate 14a provided with a number of holes 141. Anodes 142 are inserted and fixed into these holes 142, respectively.
In the photomultiplier 10 shown in
An optical module in which the embodiments of the photomultiplier according to the present invention are employed will now be explained. In the following, for simplification, an analyzing module employing the photomultiplier 1a according to the first embodiment will be explained. He area (a) in
The solvent having passed through the extraction path 853a is introduced into the reagent mixing reaction paths 854 while containing the extracted substances of interest. There are a plurality of reagent mixing reaction paths 854, whereas their corresponding reagents are introduced from the respective reagent paths 857, so as to be mixed with the solvent. The solvents mixed with the reagents advance through the reagent mixing reaction paths 854 toward the detecting part 855 while effecting reactions. The solvents having completed the detection of substances of interest in the detecting part 855 are discharged to the waste reservoir 856.
The structure of the detecting part 855 will be explained with reference to the area (b) in
Since the photomultiplier 1a is provided with an electron multiplier section having a plurality of grooves (corresponding to 20 channels, for example) as has already been explained, it can detect at which position (in which reagent mixing reaction path 854), the fluorescence or transmitted light has changed. The output circuit 855b outputs the result of detection. The power supply 855c is a power source for driving the photomultiplier 1a. A thin glass sheet (not depicted) is placed on the glass plate 850, so as to cover the extraction path 853a, reagent mixing reaction paths 854, reagent paths 857 (excluding their reagent injecting parts), and the like except for junctions of the gas inlet duct 851, gas exhaust duct 852, and solvent inlet duct 853 with the glass plate 850 and reagent injecting parts of the waste reservoir 856 and reagent paths 857.
In the present invention, as in the foregoing, the electron multiplier section 31 is formed by processing grooves in the silicon substrate 30a, while the silicon substrate 30a is joined to the glass substrate 40a by anodic bonding or diffusion bonding, thus forming no vibrating parts. Therefore, the photomultipliers according to each of the above-described embodiments are excellent in resistances to vibrations and shocks.
Since the anode 32 is anodically bonded or diffusion-bonded to the glass substrate 40a, there are no metal droplets at the time of welding. Therefore, the photomultipliers according to each of the embodiments have improved electric stability and resistances to vibrations and shocks. The anode 32 is anodically bonded or diffusion-bonded by the whole lower face thereof to the glass substrate 40a, and thus does not vibrate upon shocks and vibrations. Therefore, the photomultipliers according to each of the embodiments have improved electric stability and resistances to vibrations and shocks.
In the manufacture of the photomultipliers, there is no need to assemble an inner structure, so that the handling is easy, whereby the working time is short. They can easily attain a smaller size, since the enclosure (vacuum envelope) constructed by the upper frame 2, side wall frame 3, and lower frame 4 is integrated with the inner structure. Since there are no individual components inside, electrical and mechanical bonds are unnecessary.
Since no special members are needed for sealing the enclosure constructed by the upper frame 2, side wall frame 3, and lower frame 4, sealing in a wafer size is possible as in the photomultiplier according to the present invention. Since a plurality of photomultipliers are obtained by dicing after sealing, they can be produced inexpensively by easy operations.
Because of sealing by anodic bonding or diffusion bonding, no foreign matters occur. Therefore, the photomultipliers have improved electric stability and resistances to vibrations and shocks.
In the electron multiplier section 31, electrons are multiplied in a cascading manner while colliding against side walls of a plurality of grooves constructed by the wall parts 311. Therefore, it is simple in structure and does not need a large number of components, and thus can easily be made smaller.
The analyzing module 85 employing the photomultiplier according to each of the embodiments having the structures mentioned above can detect minute particles. It can continuously perform the extraction, reaction, and detection.
From the invention thus described, it will be obvious that the embodiments of the invention may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended for inclusion within the scope of the following claims.
The photomultiplier according to the present invention is employable in various detection fields which need to detect weak light.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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| PCT/JP2005/002298 | 2/16/2005 | WO | 00 | 8/16/2006 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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| WO2005/078760 | 8/25/2005 | WO | A |
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