Comparison between large area photo-multiplier tubes at cryogenic temperature for neutrino and rare event physics experiments

An evaluation of the behavior of three large cathode area photo-multiplier tubes, Hamamatsu R5912 Mod and R5912-02 Mod, and ETL 9357 KFLB, was carried out both at room and cryogenic temperature, using a 405 nm light source. The main electrical and optical features of the devices were studied; the obtained results were compared with the characteristics of the ETL 9357 FLA tubes, used in the ICARUS experiment. Tubes were also studied as a function of the Earth?s magnetic field and an evaluation of the quantum efficiency was made in the vacuum ultraviolet light region.