An integrated general purpose SiPM based optical module with a high dynamic range

Abstract

Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are semiconductor-based light-sensors offering a high gain, a mechanically and optically robust design and high photon detection efficiency. Due to these characteristics, they started to replace conventional photomultiplier tubes in many applications in recent years. This paper presents an optical module based on SiPMs designed for the application in scintillators as well as lab measurements. The module hosts the SiPM bias voltage supply and three pre-amplifiers with different gain levels to exploit the full dynamic range of the SiPMs. Two SiPMs, read-out in parallel, are equipped with light guides to increase the sensitive area. The light guides are optimized for the read-out of wavelength shifting fibers as used in many plastic scintillator detectors. The optical and electrical performance of the module is characterized in detail in laboratory measurements. Prototypes have been installed and tested in a modified version of the Scintillator Surface Detector developed for AugerPrime, the upgrade of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The SiPM module is operated in the Argentinian Pampas and first data proves its usability in such harsh environments.

32 pages, 28 figures, submitted to JINST

References in corpus (6)

• The Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory
• Design and Operation of FACT -- The First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope
• The Pierre Auger Observatory Upgrade - Preliminary Design Report
• FACT - Long-term stability and observations during strong Moon light
• A compact and light-weight refractive telescope for the observation of extensive air showers
• The SST-1M camera for the Cherenkov Telescope Array

Cited by in corpus (2)

• A General Overview for Localizing Short Gamma-ray Bursts with a CubeSat Mega-Constellation
• Extending the dynamic range of SiPMs by understanding their non-linear behavior