Large area silicon photomultipliers: Performance and applications

The Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) with large area up to 10×10mm2 are considered and their optimal parameters, such as efficiency, gain, dark rate, afterpulsing probability and optical crosstalk are discussed. The 3×3mm2 SiPM is described and its performance is demonstrated. Three examples of 3×3mm2 SiPM application are given: (1) transition radiation X-ray detection; (2) time of flight measurements with fast scintillators; (3) detection of PET gammas using LYSO crystals. Corresponding experimental results are presented and discussed.