Novel imaging technique for $\alpha$-particles using a fast optical camera

Abstract

A new imaging technique for $\alpha$-particles using a fast optical camera focused on a thin scintillator is presented. As $\alpha$-particles interact in a thin layer of LYSO fast scintillator, they produce a localized flash of light. The light is collected with a lens to an intensified optical camera, Tpx3Cam, with single photon sensitivity and excellent spatial & temporal resolutions. The interactions of photons with the camera is reconstructed by means of a custom algorithm, capable of discriminating single photons using time and spatial information.