A position- and time-sensitive particle detector with subnanosecond time resolution

A microchannel plate/CCD-camera particle detector is described that utilise s gold strips deposited upon the surface of a MCP to provide particle arriv al time information. The uncertainty in the timing is assessed to be simila r to 500 ps (FWHM) for a measured time interval between adjacent strips. Th e main contribution of which is the result of the slow response time of the CFD compared to the signal. The application of timing measurement is shown to be of particular benefit in the accurate determination of product state branching ratios from the dissociative recombination of diatomic ions. Fin ally, the possibilities of such a detector are assessed.