Development and applications of SiPM to Medical Physics and Space Physics

DASIPM2 2010 DIT-PRJ-10-020

Status NOT active project
DISI role Partner
Project type Research Project
Dimension National
Acquisition date 2009-09-21
Start date 2010-01-01
End date 2010-12-31

Project details

Project astract The Silicon PhotoMultiplier (SiPM) is a new type of solid-state photodetector consisting in a matrix of tiny passive-quenched Geiger-Mode Avalanche PhotoDiodes (that will be referred to as micro-pixels) all connected in parallel, providing a large current signal and a wide dynamic range, up to few hundred photons. SiPMs have recently been the object of increasing interest from the scientific community as they represent a very advantageous alternative to vacuum-based photomultiplier tubes in many applications, due to their compactness, ruggedness, low operational voltage, insensitivity to magnetic fields and low cost. In year 2009, the project aims at focusing on applications by using the SiPM arrays fabricated and tested in 2008 . In particular, SiPMs will be used for the construction of a PET module for small animals scanners. Each detector head will consist of a continuous slab of scintillator (LSO or LYSO) coupled to a 2cm x 2cm SiPM matrix by a light pipe. The compactness of the SiPMs will make possible the stacking of three layers to form the detector head, enhancing the efficiency while providing Depth Of Interaction (DOI) information. For the prototype development, two detector heads will be mounted on a rotating gantry in order to have tomographic information. On the technological side, in parallel, SiPM arrays with backplane readout will be produced.
Fundings 84000 €
Partners
  • INFN Bari
  • INFN Bologna
  • INFN Perugia
  • INFN Pisa
  • INFN Trento

DISI Sub-project details

Project astract Building on the results obtained from test structures in 2009, the backplane readout scheme by signal feed-through will be implemented in SiPM arrays. Two batches of structures, featuring different geometrical options, will be designed, fabricated and fully characterized in 2010.
Fundings 39000 €
Manager Gian Franco Dalla Betta
Participating RP