APD Arrays for Calorimetric and Tracking Applications

50574-98-I APD Arrays for Calorimetric and Tracking Applications--Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc., 44 Hunt Street, Watertown, MA 02172-4624; (617) 926-1167 Dr. Stefan Vasile, Principal Investigator Dr. Gerald Entine, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-98ER82652 Amount: $75,000 Advanced detector arrays are needed to support the planned next-generation of multi-TeV high-luminosity colliders. Scintillating fiber techniques show much promise for sampling calorimetry or tracking applications at megarad doses while Cherenkov radiation-based silica fiber calorimeters are capable to withstand gigarad radiation levels. These high-energy physics applications require optical detectors with high sensitivity in the ultraviolet-visible wavelength range, fast time response, low cost, and increased radiation hardness, requirements not simultaneously met by the existing detectors. Recently developed Geiger mode operated silicon avalanche photodiode (APD) arrays have demonstrated high gain (108), single photon detection capability, and cost-effective fabrication. Based on the core performance of this APD design, this project will develop high sensitivity, cost effective APD arrays for calorimetric and tracking applications required in high-energy physics experiments. Phase I will investigate the applicability of this new APD technology to experiments requiring high gain, high speed, compact, and low cost optical readouts of the light emitted in scintillating and Cherenkov fibers. The goal of Phase I is to investigate APD arrays with integrated miniature concentrators, and to evaluate the engineering solutions to improve the speed of response of these detectors, while maintaining single photon detection capability at room temperature. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Silicon APD detector technology offers the potential for a cost effective solid-state photodetector with single photon sensitivity which could replace standard photodiodes and photomultiplier tube arrays in a multi- million dollar detector market including high-energy and nuclear physics, space physics, defense, and medical applications. _