Abstract

The component of dark noise produced by Čerenkov pulses in photomultipliers due to cosmic ray mu mesons is discussed. It is shown by integration of pulse height spectra that this source of noise can be the limiting factor in dc measuring spectrophotometry of faint astronomical sources. Direct current methods of photometry are compared with photon counting, and the advantage of photon counting is demonstrated under various operating conditions.

© 1968 Optical Society of America

A Single-Photon Counting Astronomical Spectrophotometer

Robert G. Tull
Appl. Opt. 7(10) 2019-2022 (1968)

Photon Counting

G. A. Morton
Appl. Opt. 7(1) 1-10 (1968)

The Use of Photomultiplier Tubes for Photon Counting

R. Foord, R. Jones, C. J. Oliver, and E. R. Pike
Appl. Opt. 8(10) 1975-1989 (1969)

Experimental and Theoretical Comparison of Photon-Counting and Current Measurements of Light Intensity

R. Jones, C. J. Oliver, and E. R. Pike
Appl. Opt. 10(7) 1673-1680 (1971)

Photometric Error Analysis. IX: Optimum Use of Photomultipliers

A. T. Young
Appl. Opt. 8(12) 2431-2447 (1969)