A light pulser system for testing photomultiplier-based counter systems

A light pulser system is described which is intended for the testing of large particle detection systems which use photomultipliers. Scintillation and Cherenkov counter light pulses can be simulated, through adjustment of pulse amplitude and time constants. Individual light pulses can be turned on or off, thus allowing the detailed simulation of complex configuration to allow the testing of not only the detectors but also of any logic system using their outputs. Relative time stabilities of 170 ps (standard deviation) were achieved in a large system, while observed times using real particles were within +-2 ns (1 ns standard deviation) of those predicted using the LED system. (orig.)