Detection De Faibles Luminescences en Spectrophotometrie: Comparaison Entre Deux Techniques De Mesure Par Photomultiplicateur (‘En Courant’ Et ‘En Impulsions’)

Both photomultiplier detection techniques (anodic current method and pulse method) are recalled, and the expression for the signal‐to‐noise ratio is discussed. In pulse detection, the role of time of observation appears clearly, as well as that of the discrimination threshold, the latter allowing a lower background noise. Both techniques are used for spectrophotometric detection of weak luminescences. Experimental results show that pulse technique allows a better sensitivity of the spectrophotometer.