High dynamic range base design and characterization of the 8-inch photomultiplier tube CR365-02-2 for the LHAASO-MD experiment

Ultra-high-energy ($>$ 100 TeV) gamma-ray detection benefits from the muon detectors (MDs) due to the powerful capability to suppress the cosmic-ray background. More than 1100 8-inch photomultiplier tubes, CR365-02-2 from Beijing Hamamatsu Photon Techniques INC. (BHP), are deployed for the LHAASO-MD experiment. In this paper, the design of the photomultiplier base with a high dynamic range is presented. Signals are extracted from two outputs: the anode and the 7-th dynode. The design ensures a good single photoelectron resolution (peak-to-valley ratio $>$ 2) and a high dynamic range (equivalent anode peak current up to 1600 mA). The anode-to-dynode amplitude ratio is below 160 to ensure enough overlaps between the two outputs.