Prospects of using silicon photomultipliers for the astroparticle physics experiments EUSO and MAGIC

Abstract

We discuss the silicon photomultiplier as a novel photon detector for the Major Atmospheric Gamma Imaging Cerenkov Telescope and the Extreme Universe Space Observatory. For these astroparticle experiments we pursue two different developments of the SiPM. One development is pursued at MEPhI, where prototypes are available. In the course of this paper we will describe some characteristics of these devices. The second development, which is using the back illumination principle is at present in its design phase.