A fast and accurate position-sensitive timing detector based on secondary electron emission

A position-sensitive timing detector suitable for detection of low-energy heavy ions is described. The device is based on the detection of secondary electrons emitted following ion impact on a surface. Using a combination of magnetic and electric fields these devices can deliver sub-nanosecond time definition and sub-millimeter position information for ion impact even at incidence rates above 106 p/s. When choosing a thin foil for the surface intercepting the heavy ion trajectory, multiple detectors can be used and reliable tracking of heavy ions with moderate energies (≥1 MeV/A) becomes feasible.