PV16

Amplifier Discriminator Interface

Detector interface providing logic output for positive Hybrid PMT and negative Electron Multiplier PMTs and solid-state devices to Photon Counters.

30 dB to 60 dB of variable gain with optimized fixed threshold ensures optimum detector settings. There is no need to compromise detector noise or gain or speed with other fixed gain amplifiers.

No false pulses out at any gain

$250.00 with power supply and trimmer tool for a limited time. A GHz pulse inverting transformer is available so that both positive and negative pulses may be used with the PV16.

Specifications

Parameter	Value	Notes
Size	32 × 32 × 48 mm	1.26″ cube with SMA inputs/outputs
Weight	47 g	1.64 oz
Power / Consumption	6 VDC 217 mA	1.3 W
Input / Output Impedance	50 Ω	SMA female
Gain	Maximum 64 dB	Minimum 32 dB
Input Voltage (Neg / Pos)	Min: −300 µV / 300 µV	Max: −0.5 V / 0.5 V
Output Rise / Fall Time	< 250 ps	5V PECL 100
Output Amplitudes (50 Ω load)	+600 mV positive output, 800 mV max	−600 mV negative output, 800 mV max
Bandwidth	1.5 GHz
Input Amplifier IP3	45 dBm	5V operation
Input Amplifier Chip NF	0.5 dB to 500 MHz, 0.6 dB to 1 GHz	Gain: 22 dB @ 400 MHz, 16 dB @ 1 GHz
Output Noise	Less than 4 mV pp	No false logic pulses at any gain
Input Limit Protection	VRWM 5.0 V	VBR 5.4 V
Input Coupling	1 nF into 50 Ω	RC = 50 ns
Output Coupling	1 nF into 50 Ω	External termination
Minimum Pulse Width	Tested with 600 ps Hybrid PMT Pulse Width	300 ps tested from 1.5 GHz toggle
Power Supply	5V internal regulated, Ultra-low dropout	6V external, 2.1 × 5.5 mm power plug

(1) External pulse shaping attenuates the signal but allows impedance mismatches without ringing.
(2) The input is limited at ±5V to prevent damage to the input amplifier, but ±0.5V is maximum for which the input is not over-driven.

The PV16 can easily extract GHz single photon events at 350V acceleration on the Hamamatsu Hybrid R10467U-40 with −8000V bias, illustrating the extreme noise-free sensitivity.

Due to chip supply company going out of business, the number of one-shots is extremely limited.
TTL Output interface is available — SEE TTL ONESHOT TAB
$250 — P1TTL Gigahertz risetime one output edge triggered one-shot with preset pulse width
$250 — P2TTL Nanosecond output complementary TTL edge triggered one-shot with preset pulse width