SiPM and ADD as advanced detectors for astro-particle physics

In recent years, a few scientific groups are developing a novel type light sensor. These so-called silicon photo multipliers (SiPM) operate at relatively low bias voltage of 20–60 V, show unprecedented amplitude resolution and already now can provide photon detection efficiencies (PDE) comparable to or better than that of classical photo multipliers (PMT). We are developing the novel sensors for the astro-particle physics experiments MAGIC [J. Albert, et al., Astrophys. Lett. 642 (2006) L119. [6]] and also for EUSO [M. Teshima, et al., EUSO (The Extreme Universe Space Observatory), in: Scientific Objectives Proceedings ICRC, 2003, p. 10690. [7]]. The front-illuminated SiPM are developing with the group from MEPhI in Moscow and the back-illuminated Avalanche Drift Diodes (ADD) with the semiconductor laboratory (HLL) attached to the MPI for Physics. Our goal is to produce 5–10 mm size ultra-fast, low-noise and very high PDE (60–80%) sensors operating in the wavelength range 300–600 nm. Together with MEPhI, we have already produced and successfully tested 1.3×1.3, 3×3 and 5×5 mm2 size SiPMs. Very recently, the first ADD test structures were produced and are under evaluation at the HLL. In this report, we want to outline the main parameters of the new sensors for the needs of astro-particle physics experiments.