A Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) is a compact, solid-state photon detector that is sensitive to extremely weak light, including single photons, by using up to 1,000 pixels/mm2 of Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) in Geiger mode. These devices are the solid-state equivalents of photomultiplier tubes (PMTs).
PMTs and SiPMs are used in combination with a scintillator, a material that emits flashes of light (scintillation) when struck by ionising radiation, converting high-energy radiation, such as muons, into detectable lower-energy photons (visible blue light). These light flashes can then be converted into an electrical pulse, such as in a Geiger–Müller tube, but with significantly higher sensitivity and speed.
Recently, the cost of a Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) has become comparable to that of a new Geiger–Müller tube and its associated electronics. Making them an excellent choice for a compact, sensitive and high-speed detection method for Cosmic Ray Muon detection.
Test Project 2026
Broadcom SiPM – AFBR-S4N44P014M 4x4mm2 40um NUV-MT – $47au
BC408 Plastic Scintillator 5x5x1cm – general-purpose; used in Time-of-Flight (TOF) counters, large area, portals, <100keV charged particles, cosmic rays, muons, protons and neutrons. – $32au
OPA354 – High Speed Operational Amplifiers 250MHz Rail-to-Rail I/O CMOS – $4au
TDC7200 Time-to-Digital Converter for Time-of-Flight
