Exciting New Developments in Photon Detection: A Look into the Performance of the Silicone Photomultiplier, the Replacement (?) of the Phototube. Presentation given January, 22, 2007 available in PowerPoint and PDF format here.
In collaboration with Elliot Smith, we are currently evaluating the efficiency of silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) that require a lower bias voltage (40V vs. 60V) and obtain lower dark noise (~3μA vs ~40μA) compared to our previous SiPMs. These low voltage SiPMs present a low-cost detection solution in a compact package requiring minimal front-end electronics. Preliminary measurements indicate excellent resolution of up to 6 photo-electrons , or single photon events at room temperature. This resolution translates into a high resolution of MIP events in the detector.
In order to obtain a better understanding of silicon photomultipliers we have designed a cold box utilizing a thermoelectric cooling module (peltier cooler) in an attempt to increase the resolution at temperatures below zero. In our pursuit of clean data we have found that the SiPM data is extremely sensitive to wire placement and shielding. Nearly all noise has been removed with strategic wire placement and by shielding the power supply leads.
