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This new photon detector, the Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) attempts to fix the primary flaws of the PMT, namely its large size and its sensitivity to magnetic fields with a completely different method of detecting photons.
This new photon detector, the Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) attempts to fix the primary flaws of the PMT, namely its large size and its sensitivity to magnetic fields with a completely different method of detecting photons.
[Insert 2 pictures comparing the two different methods of detecting photons]
[[Image:Diode_Diagram.JPG|400px]][[Image:PMT_Diagram.JPG|400px]]
Instead of using a series of dynodes to amplify the signal of the photon, the SiPM uses 2 highly charged electron plates that are placed closely together. When a photon lands on one of the plates, the energy in the photon dislodges one of the electrons on the charge plate which releases the energy built up in the plates, causing a pulse. This method of detecting photons makes it impervious to the strongest of magnetic fields because the entire process happens electrically. The PMT, on the other hand, needs the electron to travel a certain trajectory, therefore making it very susceptible to magnetic fields. If the electrons in the PMT veer off from their course due to magnetic fields, then they won't make it to the next dynode and produce a pulse. Also, since the inner workings of the SiPM are all electrical, it is possible to be made much smaller in size compared to the PMT.
Instead of using a series of dynodes to amplify the signal of the photon, the SiPM uses 2 highly charged electron plates that are placed closely together. When a photon lands on one of the plates, the energy in the photon dislodges one of the electrons on the charge plate which releases the energy built up in the plates, causing a pulse. This method of detecting photons makes it impervious to the strongest of magnetic fields because the entire process happens electrically. The PMT, on the other hand, needs the electron to travel a certain trajectory, therefore making it very susceptible to magnetic fields. If the electrons in the PMT veer off from their course due to magnetic fields, then they won't make it to the next dynode and produce a pulse. Also, since the inner workings of the SiPM are all electrical, it is possible to be made much smaller in size compared to the PMT.