Large area silicon photomultipliers: Performance and applications

The Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) with large area up to 10 x 10mm(2) are considered and their optimal parameters, such as efficiency, gain, dark rate, after pulsing probability and optical crosstalk are discussed. The x 3 mm(2) SiPM is described and its performance is demonstrated. Three examples of 3 x 3 mm2 SiPM application are given: (1) transition radiation X-ray detection I; (2) time of flight measurements with fast scintillators; (3) detection of PET gammas using LYSO crystals. Corresponding experimental results are presented and discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.