Novel Silicon Photomultipliers for PET Applications

Abstract

<para xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) with quantum efficiency maximized for a wavelength between 420 and 470 nm have been developed at ITC-irst Trento (Italy), and are being tested for their application in the construction of a ultra high resolution small animal PET tomograph. The devices have an area of 1 mm x 1 mm and 625 microcells. The breakdown voltage is around 30 V, and the gain of the order of <formula formulatype="inline"><tex>${10} ^{6}$</tex> </formula>. The intrinsic timing resolution is 70ps rms at the single photoelectron level. The first tests as readout for scintillators show an energy resolution of 21% FWHM with Na-22 employing LSO crystals. The first matrices of SiPMs have been produced and are being tested. </para>