Improved single photon time resolution for analog SiPMs with front end readout that reduces influence of electronic noise.

Improved single photon time resolution for analog SiPMs with front end readout that reduces influence of electronic noise.
Phys Med Biol. 2018 Aug 21;:
Authors: Cates JW, Gundacker S, Auffray E, Lecoq P, Levin CS
Abstract
A key step to improving the coincidence time resolution of positron emission tomography detectors that exploit populations of prompt photon emissions is improving the single photon time resolution (SPTR) of silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). The influence of electronic noise has previously been identified as the dominant factor affecting SPTR for large area, analog SiPMs. In this work, we measure the achievable SPTR with front end electronic readout that minimizes the influence of electronic noise. With this new readout circuit, the SPTR measured for one FBK NUV single avalanche photodiode (SPAD) was also achieved with a 1x1 mm<sup>2</sup> FBK NUV SiPM. SPTR for large area devices was also significantly improved. The measured SPTRs for 3x3 mm<sup>2</sup> Hamamatsu and SensL SiPMs were ≤150 ps FWHM, and SPTR ≤100 ps FWHM was measured for 3x3 mm<sup>2</sup> and 4x4 mm<sup>2</sup> FBK NUV and NUV-HD SiPMs. We also explore additional factors affecting the achievable SPTR for large area, analog SiPMs when the contribution of electronic noise is minimized and pinpoint potential areas of improvement to further...

Source: Physics in Medicine and Biology - August 21, 2018 Category: Physics Authors: Cates JW, Gundacker S, Auffray E, Lecoq P, Levin CS Tags: Phys Med Biol Source Type: research