Conversion of UV and Visible Photons to Photoelectrons
The operation of most of gaseous photomultipliers is based either on gas photoionization or on photoelectric effect from solid photocathodes. There have also been attempts to use liquid photocathodes which offer lower ionization thresholds compared to the corresponding vapors. A great success has been achieved with solid photocathodes covered with adsorbed layers of some photosensitive vapors which reduce the cathode work function and as a result extend the photosensitivity threshold towards long wavelengths. It also enhances their quantum efficiencies sometime on a factor of two. The main physic mechanisms of interactions of UV photons with gases as well as with liquid and solid photocathodes are described in detail in this chapter. This basic knowledge is important when designing and using gaseous photodetectors.