A preamplifier for the pulses supplied by a scintillator optically coupled to a photodiode

This work aimed at obtaining a low-power consuming, cheap and high-performance charge preamplifier. A theoretical analysis, based on simplified equivalent circuits, allowed us to establish the preamplifier parameters: a high input impedance, large bandwidth and low noise first stage, followed by a performing integrated operational voltage feedback amplifier and overall RC feedback. The results of the measurements on reference and home made preamplifiers are presented. Both the validity of theoretical analyses and the possibility to comply with all the requirements are confirmed. (author)