Testing micro-channel plate detectors for the particle identification upgrade of LHCb

In a preliminary R&D phase, we have shown that already commercially available micro-channel plate tubes with 8×8 channels fulfil the requirements. Timing properties of the tubes have been investigated with a pulsed laser diode in single photon regime. Key results from these laboratory tests are reported. An excellent timing resolution of <40 ps is achieved with an efficiency of ∼90%.