Title :
A compact VLPC photon transducer system
Author :
Koltick, D. ; Pischalnikov, Yu. ; Atac, M. ; Wunderlich, T.
Author_Institution :
Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN, USA
Abstract :
We have developed a compact visible light photon counter (VLPC) system. A VLPC is a solid state, silicon impurity band conduction device transducer for single photons. VLPCs have a quantum efficiency of 60-70%, a gain greater than 104 and rate capabilities greater than 107 photons/sec, without decreased operating efficiency. We use the device as a transducer for scintillating fibers. The complete system is capable of operating 16 cryogenic modules each containing 256 VLPC channels for a total of 4096 channels. The system uses about one liter of liquid He per hour and is capable of operating in various orientations. Using this compact cryogenic system we have measured the noise, gain and the effect of rate vs. the working temperature of the VLPCs
Keywords :
amplification; photon counting; semiconductor device noise; silicon radiation detectors; solid scintillation detectors; He; Si; Si impurity band conduction device; VLPC; cryogenic; gain; liquid He; noise; operating efficiency; photon transducer system; quantum efficiency; rate; scintillating fiber; visible light photon counter; working temperature; Cryogenics; Gain measurement; Helium; Impurities; Noise measurement; Optical fiber devices; Radiation detectors; Silicon; Solid state circuits; Transducers;
Conference_Titel :
Nuclear Science Symposium, 1996. Conference Record., 1996 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Anaheim, CA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3534-1
DOI :
10.1109/NSSMIC.1996.591430
