No abstract

At the Stefan Meyer Institute/Vienna (SMI) studies are performed on the application of new matrix avalanche photo-detectors (SiPMs) operating in the Geiger-mode. Possible applications are the photo detection in scintillating fiber detectors and Cherenkov detectors. We tested the newest generation of SiPMs concerning static properties as well as specific properties like timing performance. We evaluated several kinds of SiPMs from different manufacturers with different sizes of cells, sensitive area and with different photo sensitivity. The operating temperature of the SiPM sensors could be lowered below 0 o C by using Peltier cooling. A fast pulsed blue laser system was used to evaluate the timing performance of the devices. The timing resolution was tested at various (low) light levels. This work concentrates on the effect of temperature-dependent dark current and noise as well as the timing performance as a function of the light intensity. Tests of SiPMs with high photon detection efficiency manufactured by Hamamatsu were performed in order to find optimum sensors for applications in Cherenkov detectors. Results on dark current as a function of temperature, dark count rate and timing performance obtained so far will be given.