The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Sara A Pozzi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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imaging special nuclear material using a handheld dual particle imager
Scientific Reports, 2020Co-Authors: William M Steinberger, Marc L Ruch, Nathan P Giha, Angela Di Fulvio, Peter Marleau, Shaun D Clarke, Sara A PozziAbstract:A compact radiation imaging system capable of detecting, localizing, and characterizing special nuclear material (e.g. highly-enriched uranium, plutonium…) would be useful for national security missions involving inspection, emergency response, or war-fighters. Previously-designed radiation imaging systems have been large and bulky with significant portions of volume occupied by photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). The prototype imaging system presented here uses silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) in place of PMTs because SiPMs are much more compact and operate at low power and voltage. The SiPMs are coupled to the ends of eight stilbene organic scintillators, which have an overall volume of 5.74 × 5.74 × 7.11 cm3. The prototype dual-particle imager's capabilities were evaluated by performing measurements with a 252Cf source, a sphere of 4.5 kg of alpha-phase weapons-grade plutonium known as the BeRP ball, a 6 kg sphere of neptunium, and a canister of 3.4 kg of plutonium oxide (7% 240Pu and 93% 239Pu). These measurements demonstrate neutron spectroscopic capabilities, a neutron image resolution for a Watt spectrum of 9.65 ± 0.94° in the azimuthal direction and 22.59 ± 5.81° in the altitude direction, imaging of gamma rays using organic scintillators, and imaging of multiple sources in the same field of view.
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time resolution of stilbene coupled to silicon Photomultipliers for use in a handheld dual particle scatter camera
Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, 2015Co-Authors: Marc L Ruch, Jennifer Nguyen, Marek Flaska, Sara A PozziAbstract:Two stilbene crystals were coupled to low-noise silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) to assess the assemblies' time resolution for use as elements in a handheld dual-particle scatter camera. Pulses were digitized from a measurement of Na-22 and digital constant fraction discrimination (CFD) was performed to determine the time of each pulse. The crystals were then coupled to photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and the measurement was repeated. The full width at half max (FWHM) of the time-difference distributions was used to determine the time resolution of the detector assemblies. The time resolution when using the SiPMs was better than 1 ns and comparable to that of assemblies using PMTs.
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pulse shape discrimination performance of stilbene coupled to low noise silicon Photomultipliers
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2015Co-Authors: Marc L Ruch, Marek Flaska, Sara A PozziAbstract:Abstract Pulse shape discrimination (PSD) techniques can be used to discern between neutron and gamma-ray interactions in certain organic scintillators. Traditionally, photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) have been used in organic-scintillator assemblies. However, silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) have great potential to be used in many applications in which PMTs have been predominantly used, including those utilizing PSD techniques. To evaluate the current state of the art of the SiPM technology, SensL׳s 6-mm B-Series and C-Series SiPMs were compared to a fast Hamamatsu PMT in conjunction with a 6×6×6-mm3 stilbene organic scintillator to assess the PSD performance of the detector assemblies. Measurements with a Cf-252 source were performed and a figure of merit (FOM) for discriminating between neutron and gamma-ray pulses between 100 keVee and 200 keVee was calculated for each assembly. A digital charge-integration PSD technique was used to process all measured data. The FOM for the B-Series SiPM, PMT, and C-Series SiPM was 1.37, 1.93, and 2.13, respectively. The C-Series SiPM was shown to perform as well as the PMT in the experiments.
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comparison between silicon Photomultipliers and photomultiplier tubes for pulse shape discrimination with stilbene
Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, 2014Co-Authors: Marc L Ruch, Marek Flaska, Ciara B Sivels, Steven A Czyz, Sara A PozziAbstract:A stilbene crystal was coupled to a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) to assess the performance of the detector's pulse shape discrimination (PSD) between fast neutrons and gamma rays. Pulses were digitized from a measurement of Cf-252 and digital charge comparison was used to perform PSD. The stilbene crystal was then coupled to a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and the measurement was repeated. The PSD performance when using the SiPM was compared to that of the system using the PMT. Both systems demonstrate efficient ability to discriminate between neutrons and gamma rays. While PMTs have long been the standard technology for light readout, SiPMs show similar capabilities while being less expensive, significantly more compact in size, significantly less sensitive to magnetic fields, and having lower power requirements. Potential drawbacks of SiPMs include elevated levels of noise and nonlinearity at high energies.
Marc L Ruch - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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imaging special nuclear material using a handheld dual particle imager
Scientific Reports, 2020Co-Authors: William M Steinberger, Marc L Ruch, Nathan P Giha, Angela Di Fulvio, Peter Marleau, Shaun D Clarke, Sara A PozziAbstract:A compact radiation imaging system capable of detecting, localizing, and characterizing special nuclear material (e.g. highly-enriched uranium, plutonium…) would be useful for national security missions involving inspection, emergency response, or war-fighters. Previously-designed radiation imaging systems have been large and bulky with significant portions of volume occupied by photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). The prototype imaging system presented here uses silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) in place of PMTs because SiPMs are much more compact and operate at low power and voltage. The SiPMs are coupled to the ends of eight stilbene organic scintillators, which have an overall volume of 5.74 × 5.74 × 7.11 cm3. The prototype dual-particle imager's capabilities were evaluated by performing measurements with a 252Cf source, a sphere of 4.5 kg of alpha-phase weapons-grade plutonium known as the BeRP ball, a 6 kg sphere of neptunium, and a canister of 3.4 kg of plutonium oxide (7% 240Pu and 93% 239Pu). These measurements demonstrate neutron spectroscopic capabilities, a neutron image resolution for a Watt spectrum of 9.65 ± 0.94° in the azimuthal direction and 22.59 ± 5.81° in the altitude direction, imaging of gamma rays using organic scintillators, and imaging of multiple sources in the same field of view.
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time resolution of stilbene coupled to silicon Photomultipliers for use in a handheld dual particle scatter camera
Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, 2015Co-Authors: Marc L Ruch, Jennifer Nguyen, Marek Flaska, Sara A PozziAbstract:Two stilbene crystals were coupled to low-noise silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) to assess the assemblies' time resolution for use as elements in a handheld dual-particle scatter camera. Pulses were digitized from a measurement of Na-22 and digital constant fraction discrimination (CFD) was performed to determine the time of each pulse. The crystals were then coupled to photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and the measurement was repeated. The full width at half max (FWHM) of the time-difference distributions was used to determine the time resolution of the detector assemblies. The time resolution when using the SiPMs was better than 1 ns and comparable to that of assemblies using PMTs.
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pulse shape discrimination performance of stilbene coupled to low noise silicon Photomultipliers
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2015Co-Authors: Marc L Ruch, Marek Flaska, Sara A PozziAbstract:Abstract Pulse shape discrimination (PSD) techniques can be used to discern between neutron and gamma-ray interactions in certain organic scintillators. Traditionally, photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) have been used in organic-scintillator assemblies. However, silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) have great potential to be used in many applications in which PMTs have been predominantly used, including those utilizing PSD techniques. To evaluate the current state of the art of the SiPM technology, SensL׳s 6-mm B-Series and C-Series SiPMs were compared to a fast Hamamatsu PMT in conjunction with a 6×6×6-mm3 stilbene organic scintillator to assess the PSD performance of the detector assemblies. Measurements with a Cf-252 source were performed and a figure of merit (FOM) for discriminating between neutron and gamma-ray pulses between 100 keVee and 200 keVee was calculated for each assembly. A digital charge-integration PSD technique was used to process all measured data. The FOM for the B-Series SiPM, PMT, and C-Series SiPM was 1.37, 1.93, and 2.13, respectively. The C-Series SiPM was shown to perform as well as the PMT in the experiments.
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comparison between silicon Photomultipliers and photomultiplier tubes for pulse shape discrimination with stilbene
Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, 2014Co-Authors: Marc L Ruch, Marek Flaska, Ciara B Sivels, Steven A Czyz, Sara A PozziAbstract:A stilbene crystal was coupled to a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) to assess the performance of the detector's pulse shape discrimination (PSD) between fast neutrons and gamma rays. Pulses were digitized from a measurement of Cf-252 and digital charge comparison was used to perform PSD. The stilbene crystal was then coupled to a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and the measurement was repeated. The PSD performance when using the SiPM was compared to that of the system using the PMT. Both systems demonstrate efficient ability to discriminate between neutrons and gamma rays. While PMTs have long been the standard technology for light readout, SiPMs show similar capabilities while being less expensive, significantly more compact in size, significantly less sensitive to magnetic fields, and having lower power requirements. Potential drawbacks of SiPMs include elevated levels of noise and nonlinearity at high energies.
C Piemonte - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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overview on the main parameters and technology of modern silicon Photomultipliers
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2019Co-Authors: C Piemonte, A GolaAbstract:Abstract In this paper, we give an overview of the main properties and technological implementation of densely packed Single-photon Avalanche Diode arrays, which are commonly known as Silicon Photomultipliers, or SiPMs. These detectors feature high internal gain, single-photon sensitivity, a high Photon Detection Efficiency, proportional response to weak and fast light flashes, excellent timing resolution, low bias voltage, ruggedness and insensitivity to magnetic field. They compare favorably to the traditional Photomultiplier Tube in several applications. In this overview paper, we go through the SPAD/SiPM theory of operation, the modern SiPM implementations and the typical technological options to build the sensor. This is done in conjunction with the description of the main SiPM parameters, such as the Photon Detection Efficiency, the electrical properties, the primary and correlated noise sources and the Single Photon Time Resolution.
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silicon Photomultipliers and single photon avalanche diodes with enhanced nir detection efficiency at fbk
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2017Co-Authors: Fabio Acerbi, N Zorzi, A Gola, G Paternoster, C PiemonteAbstract:Abstract Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) have recently obtained a growing attention as an alternative to traditional photomultiplier tubes for detecting low photon fluxes. SiPMs are currently used in many medical and physics applications, but they are also emerging as a valuable option in single-photon or few-photon applications, like light detection and ranging, optical spectroscopy, and bio-medical instrumentation. During last years at Fondazione Bruno Kessler (Trento, Italy) we developed two different SiPM technologies, with peak sensitivity in the green wavelength region and in the blue one. Recently, we also started to develop a new technology with increased sensitivity in the red and near infra-red (NIR) wavelength region. This development poses several technological and design challenges since the single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) internal structure has to be modified in order to collect carriers generated by photons absorbed at a depth of several microns. In this paper we will describe the first NIR-SiPMs and NIR-SPADs produced in FBK and we will present and discuss their experimental characterization. These devices show promising performance: SiPMs with 35 μ m cell reach a PDE of about 18% at 850 nm and of more than 10% at 900 nm. These values are mainly limited by the SPAD border effect, which will be discussed in the paper by means of TCAD simulations. The full potentiality of these devices, in terms of PDE, will also be demonstrated by PDE measurements on a single SPAD with shielded active-area border.
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characterization of the first fbk high density cell silicon photomultiplier technology
IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, 2013Co-Authors: C Piemonte, A Gola, Alessandro Ferri, Tiziana Pro, Nicola Serra, Alessandro Tarolli, N ZorziAbstract:In this paper, we present the results of the characterization of the first high-density (HD) cell silicon Photomultipliers produced at FBK. The most advanced prototype manufactured with this technology has a cell size of 15 × 15 μm2 featuring a nominal fill factor of 48%. To reach this high area coverage, we developed a new border structure to confine the high electric-field region of each single-photon avalanche diode. The measured detection efficiency approaches 30% in the green part of the light spectrum and it is above 20% from 400 to 650 nm. At these efficiency values, the correlated noise is very low, giving an excess charge factor below 1.1. We coupled a 2 × 2 × 10- mm3 LYSO scintillator crystal to a 2.2 × 2.2- mm2 silicon photomultiplier, obtaining very promising results for PET application: energy resolution of less than 11% full-width at half maximum (FWHM) with negligible loss of linearity and coincidence resolving time of 200-ps FWHM at 20°C.
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modelling a silicon photomultiplier sipm as a signal source for optimum front end design
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2007Co-Authors: F Corsi, A Dragone, C Marzocca, A Del Guerra, P Delizia, N Dinu, C Piemonte, M Boscardin, G Dalla F BettaAbstract:Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM) have proven to be very attractive devices for low-energy photon detection. Thanks to their high gain and excellent timing resolution, they compare favourably to photomultiplier tubes (PMT) in many applications. Their electrical characteristics have to be taken into account to properly design the front-end electronics. Here, an electrical model of the SiPM is defined and an extraction procedure for the parameters involved in this model is proposed, based on suitable measurements performed on the real detector.
Kaspar Podgorski - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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two photon imaging with silicon Photomultipliers
Optics Express, 2019Co-Authors: Mehrab N Modi, Glenn C Turner, Kayvon Daie, Kaspar PodgorskiAbstract:We compared performance of recently developed silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) to GaAsP photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) for two-photon imaging of neural activity. Despite higher dark counts, SiPMs match or exceed the signal-to-noise ratio of PMTs at photon rates encountered in typical calcium imaging experiments due to their low pulse height variability. At higher photon rates encountered during high-speed voltage imaging, SiPMs substantially outperform PMTs.
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two photon imaging with silicon Photomultipliers
bioRxiv, 2019Co-Authors: Mehrab N Modi, Glenn C Turner, Kaspar PodgorskiAbstract:Abstract Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) are a class of inexpensive and robust single-pixel detectors with applications similar to photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). We performed side-by-side comparisons of recently-developed SiPMs and a GaAsP PMT for two-photon fluorescence imaging of neural activity. Despite higher dark counts, which limit their performance at low photon rates (
Giorgio Fallica - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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fabrication characterization and testing of silicon Photomultipliers for the muon portal project
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2015Co-Authors: P La Rocca, Giorgio Fallica, S Billotta, A A Blancato, D Bonanno, G Bonanno, S Garozzo, Lo D Presti, D Marano, C PugliattiAbstract:Abstract The Muon Portal is a recently started Project aiming at the construction of a large area tracking detector that exploits the muon tomography technique to inspect the contents of traveling cargo containers. The detection planes will be made of plastic scintillator strips with embedded wavelength-shifting fibres. Special designed silicon Photomultipliers will read the scintillation light transported by the fibres along the strips and a dedicated electronics will combine signals from different strips to reduce the overall number of channels, without loss of information. Different silicon photomultiplier prototypes, both with the p-on-n and n-on-p technologies, have been produced by STMicroelectronics during the last years. In this paper we present the main characteristics of the silicon Photomultipliers designed for the Muon Portal Project and describe the setup and the procedure implemented for the characterization of these devices, giving some statistical results obtained from the test of a first batch of silicon Photomultipliers.
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Silicon Photomultipliers Signal-to-Noise Ratio in the Continuous Wave Regime
IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 2014Co-Authors: Gabriele Adamo, Anne Tomasino, D. Agrò, Luciano Curcio, Giuseppe Costantino Giaconia, Salvatore Stivala, Antonino Parisi, Alessandro Busacca, Giorgio FallicaAbstract: Abstract— We report on Signal-to-Noise Ratio measurements carried out, in the continuous wave regime, at different bias voltages, frequencies and temperatures, on a class of silicon Photomultipliers fabricated in planar technology on silicon p- type substrate. Signal-to-Noise Ratio has been measured as the ratio of the photogenerated current, filtered and averaged by a lock-in amplifier, and the Root Mean Square deviation of the same current. The measured noise takes into account the shot noise, resulting from the photocurrent and the dark current. We have also performed a comparison between our SiPMs and a photomultiplier tube in terms of Signal-to-Noise Ratio, as a function of the temperature of the SiPM package and at different bias voltages. Our results show the outstanding performance of this class of SiPMs even without the need of any cooling system.