COMPUTER SIMULATION OF A GEIGER MODE AVALANCHING PHOTODIODE CIRCUIT IN SILICON PHOTOMULTIPLIERS FOR DETECTOR SYSTEMS AT FERMI AND JEFFERSON LABORATORIES

Scientists are starting to use Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) for their advantages over conventional photomultipliers (PMTs); these advantages include: better resolution, less noise, lower bias voltage compared to conventional PMTs, and insensitivity to stray magnetic fields. JMU is currently heavily invested in the design of two detector systems. The first being calorimeters for g-2 experiments at Fermi lab; the second being the Forward Tagger hodoscope for the CLAS12 detector at Jefferson Lab which relies on SiPMs as an integral part of particle detection and identification. Multiple circuit models have been researched that replicate the Geiger Mode Avalanching photodiode circuit. The latest model, which has been the most successful, is a unique RC circuit that stores charge in a capacitor and releases the charge when the simulated photodiode switch is closed. This charge models the behavior of the current avalanche in the circuit and accounts for the quenching action provided by a resistor. The circuit model will be presented along with a description of the underlying features of these devices, the results of simulations, and future implications will all be discussed. This research is sponsored by NSF.

Additional Abstract Information


Student(s): Jamil Guevara

Department: Physics and Astronomy

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kevin Giovanetti

Type: Poster

Year: 2014

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