Photomultiplier tube. A vacuum tube device that detects single photons of light and multiplies the resulting electron emission through a series of dynodes. This cascading effect provides massive signal gain, making the device sensitive enough to detect individual photons. They are widely used in medical imaging, astronomy, and high-end analytical instrumentation.
Heard on the job
We had to shield the PMT carefully because even stray ambient light will saturate the sensor.
Also heard as
- photomultiplier tube
- photomultiplier