Novel Sensors for Cherenkov Counters (Prof. Peter Krizan, Ljubliana U.)

by Prof. Peter Krizan (University of Ljubljana and J. Stefan Institute)

Thursday Oct 29, 2009, 3:30 PM → 5:00 PM Pacific/Honolulu

Rm 112 (UHM - Watanabe Hall)

For the next generation of ring imaging Cherenkov counters new types of sensors are needed that can operate in high magnetic fields. One of the very promising candidates are Geiger mode APDs, also known as silicon photomultipliers (SiPM). They have several other advantages (i.e. lower operation voltage, less material, a higher photon detection efficiency) compared to conventional photomultiplier tubes. They also have a high gain and a good time response, and allow, due to their small dimensions, light and robust mechanical designs. However, due to the serious disadvantage of a very high dark rate (~ 1MHz/mm^2), they have up to now not been used in Cherenkov detectors, where single photon detection is required. The seminar will report on successful tests of a prototype module as a photon detector in a proximity focusing RICH with aerogel radiator. Various light guides were also investigated in order to increase the detection efficiency. In this seminar we will also discuss alternatives, two types of vacuum based photon detectors. Finally, some results will be shown of tests of SiPMs as scintillation light sensors for PET detectors.