Sub 60 ps timing resolution using large area silicon avalanche diodes

The new generation of planned experiments in high-energy and nuclear physics requires high pixel density time-of-flight detection systems which mark the occurrence of an event with sub-100 ps accuracy . The authors report on the development and optimization of silicon avalanche diodes (AVDs). The project is in part strongly motivated by the STAR experiment planned for the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider facility for this purpose. The authors describe the progress made in a step-by-step program to develop and evaluate prototype devices. As the first goal, they have examined commercially available low k (~0.02) value AVDs which could, in the short term, be adapted and tested for timing characteristics and verify a proof of principle