Novel Bialkali Photocathodes for Ring Imaging Cherenkov Detectors at the EIC

The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) will be the next facility designed to explore the structure of the proton and of nuclei at the very smallest scales. Given that the EIC is at least ten years away, it is a good time to investigate new detector techniques that could be employed at such a facility. We have begun a program of research to investigate bialkali photocathodes (Gallium Arsenide or Gallium Arsenide Phosphate) for use with GEM or MCP electron multiplication systems which could be used in large-area Ring-Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) detectors at the EIC. The work on characterizing the quantum efficiency of these photocathodes is in its preliminary stages, and we will report on our progress to date.