Study of the properties of new SPM detectors

Abstract

The operation and performance of multi-pixel, Geiger-mode APD structures referred to as Silicon Photomultiplier (SPM) are reported. The SPM is a solid state device that has emerged over the last decade as a promising alternative to vacuum PMTs. This is due to their comparable performance in addition to their lower bias operation and power consumption, insensitivity to magnetic fields and ambient light, smaller size and ruggedness. Applications for these detectors are numerous and include life sciences, nuclear medicine, particle physics, microscopy and general instrumentation. With SPM devices, many geometrical and device parameters can be adjusted to optimize their performance for a particular application. In this paper, Monte Carlo simulations and experimental results for 1mm 2 SPM structures are reported. In addition, trade-offs involved in optimizing the SPM in terms of the number and size of pixels for a given light intensity, and its affect on the dynamic range are discussed.

Single Photon Counting with Silicon Photomultipliers, shortening systems and incoherent illumination

“…SiPMs have small active area and exhibit optical cross-talk, but despite these limitations they feature outstanding qualities compared to other photodetectors such as high quantum efficiency, high internal gain and insensitivity to magnetic fields. These devices work at very low bias voltages (<100 V), show almost no aging and can be exposed fully biased to daylight without destruction [3]- [6].…”

“…SiPM photosignal is modulated in amplitude, that is, the amplitude of the photodetection signal is directly proportional to the intensity of the exciting pulse [4]. The typical response of the SiPM to an incoming exciting pulse is a very fast rising edge at the time the avalanche is produced followed by a slow downfall when the avalanche is quenched [4], [6]. This pulse shape is observed even for short exciting pulses (< 10 ns).…”

Performance evaluation of novel SiPM for medical imaging applications

“…The linearity and dynamic range of an SiPM are determined by the photon detection efficiency (PDE) and the total number of microcells [13]. When the number of incident photons is much less than the total number of microcells the SiPM response is linear.…”

Strategies for shortening the output pulse of silicon photomultipliers

“…1,2 SiPMs present high gain and speed, low consumption level and polarization voltage, small size, immunity against magnetic fields, and an important potential for low cost production following standard MOS processes. [3][4][5][6] All of these facts allow one to postulate SiPMs as very interesting devices for photon detection applications in which high frequency and very low light intensity are involved. [7][8][9][10] The SiPM is a matrix device where each cell is an avalanche photodetector (APD) working in Geiger mode that includes a quenching resistor.…”

“…The typical response of the SiPM to an incoming light pulse is a very fast rising edge (avalanche is happening) followed by a slow downfall (avalanche has been quenched). 4,6 The amplitude in the SiPM response signal is proportional to the number of impinging photons 4 . In other words, the amplitude of the current signal provided by the photodetector is amplitude modulated by the intensity of the optical exciting signal.…”