High energy particle tracking using scintillating fibers and solid state photomultiplier

A recently developed solid-state photomultiplier (SSPM) coupled with fast scintillating fiber, can have a rate capacity of 10⁸ tracks/s/cm² of fiber cross-section in systems for tracking high-energy ionizing particles. Relative to other approaches the SSPM can provide substantial improvements in spatial and temporal tracking accuracy. Results of preliminary experiments with 0.225×0.225 mm²-cross-section step-index-of-refraction fibers exposed to electrons from a beta source are presented. The experiments involved pulse height analysis of SSPM photon detection pulses induced by coincident scintillations in two adjacent fibers traversed by the same electron. The data for two different scintillating fibers tested indicate that meter-long fibers of this type, optimally coupled to SSMPs, will be effective in detecting minimum ionizing particles