See also: https://indico.cern.ch/event/117424/contributions/1329247/attachments/56777/81753/STMicroelectronics_SIPM_CERN_2011-02-17.pdf # Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) Motivation: Understanding some other pixelated detectors beyond pixelated [[CdZnTe (CZT) Detectors]]. Silicon Photomultipliers (or SiPMs) are solid state radiation detectors that are sensitive to photons and use single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) to read out radiation interaction events. ## Advantages of SiPMs - Deterministic photoelectron gain compared to conventional PMTs which yields a low / near negligible excess noise factor - Higher [[Signal-to-Noise Ratio]] - Way easier to manufacture compared to vacuum tubes - Significantly lower bias voltage, which means that the power requirements are very low. - Higher dynamic range if a lot of SPADs are used. ## Disadvantages of SiPMs - Much higher [[Dark Current]] than a PMT when at higher temperatures - It is difficult to obtain a symmetric pulse shape (see the slide show linked in the "see also" section to see the distinct pulse shape, or below.)