Changes

The standard technology for such detectors, originally developed for atomic and nuclear physics experiments, is based on the photomultiplier vacuum tube.  Particle physics experiments have relied on photomultiplier tubes for over 40 years.  Ever since the invention of the transistor, efforts have been made to create semiconductor-based photon detectors, but certain drawbacks have limited their use to a few niche applications.  Recently, however, progress has been made toward the goal of creating silicon-based detectors with single-photon sensitivity that can operate at room temperature.  These devices are called silicon photomultipliers.

The standard technology for such detectors, originally developed for atomic and nuclear physics experiments, is based on the photomultiplier vacuum tube.  Particle physics experiments have relied on photomultiplier tubes for over 40 years.  Ever since the invention of the transistor, efforts have been made to create semiconductor-based photon detectors, but certain drawbacks have limited their use to a few niche applications.  Recently, however, progress has been made toward the goal of creating silicon-based detectors with single-photon sensitivity that can operate at room temperature.  These devices are called silicon photomultipliers.

Silicon photomultipliers use semiconductor technology to detect single photons at room temperature. A semiconductor is a material with an electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. The electrical conductivity of a substance measures how much electric current flows when a given electrical potential is placed across it. A perfect insulator has an electrical conductivity of 0, indicating that no current flows through it even when an electrical difference is present. A semiconductor normally acts like an insulator up to certain potential difference, called the breakdown voltage, above which it becomes conducting. The vast majority of electrical devices today make use of semiconductors. One very common electrical component is called a diode. A diode is a device that allows electricity to flow one way, but not the other.  

Silicon photomultipliers use semiconductor technology to detect single photons at room temperature. A semiconductor is a material with an electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. The electrical conductivity of a substance measures how much electric current flows when a given electrical potential is placed across it. A perfect insulator has an electrical conductivity of 0, indicating that no current flows through it even when an electrical difference is present. A semiconductor normally acts like an insulator up to certain potential difference, called the breakdown voltage, above which it becomes conducting. The vast majority of electrical devices today make use of semiconductors. One very common electrical component of semiconductor electrnics is the diode. A diode is a device that allows electricity to flow one way, but not the other.  

Photodiodes produce a single electron from each photon that hits the detector area. But since physicists are trying to detect single photons, that is not nearly enough. They had to create a device that releases many electrons for every single photon that hits the detector. (Discussion on PMT?) They could do just that with the avalanche photodiode. Diodes only allow electricity to flow one way. So if voltage is applied in the opposite direction of the way that the electrons were meant to flow, no electricity would cross. Yet every single diode has a breaking point. If enough voltage, or electrical force, is put across a diode, it could suddenly allow all the electricity through, like a dam breaking. The voltage that is applied in the reverse direction is called reverse bias voltage. Physicists take advantage of that effect by applying enough reverse bias voltage that the Avalanche photodiode that anything, even the energy from a single photon is sufficient to cause it to break down. This is called the breakdown voltage. If a photon were to hit this diode, it would cause a huge surge of electricity to go through the diode and therefore the entire curcuit, one that could be measured by the scientist.  

Photodiodes produce a single electron from each photon that hits the detector area. But since physicists are trying to detect single photons, that is not nearly enough. They had to create a device that releases many electrons for every single photon that hits the detector. (Discussion on PMT?) They could do just that with the avalanche photodiode. Diodes only allow electricity to flow one way. So if voltage is applied in the opposite direction of the way that the electrons were meant to flow, no electricity would cross. Yet every single diode has a breaking point. If enough voltage, or electrical force, is put across a diode, it could suddenly allow all the electricity through, like a dam breaking. The voltage that is applied in the reverse direction is called reverse bias voltage. Physicists take advantage of that effect by applying enough reverse bias voltage that the Avalanche photodiode that anything, even the energy from a single photon is sufficient to cause it to break down. This is called the breakdown voltage. If a photon were to hit this diode, it would cause a huge surge of electricity to go through the diode and therefore the entire curcuit, one that could be measured by the scientist.