Series tests of fine mesh photomultiplier tubes in magnetic fields of up to 1.2 Tesla

The new lead/scintillating-fibre calorimeter (“SpaCal”) for the backward region of the H1 experiment at HERA (DESY) is equipped with fine mesh phototubes which operate in a magnetic field close to 1 T. A large sample of these tubes of the types Hamamatsu R5505 and R5506, and Hamamatsu R2490-05, have been tested in fields of up to 1.2T. We have investigated the cathode homogeneity with and without magnetic field, the gain loss under the influence of the magnetic field, and stability with time. For a subsample of tubes, we have performed additional studies on stability with respect to temperature changes, variation of gain as a function of the magnetic field, high voltage discharges, single photo-electron response, and linearity. We finally summarize the experience with these tubes after one year of operation in the experiment.