Optimization of Silicon Photomultiplier Detectors for Fast Fluorescence Imaging

Author

George Funkenbusch

Mentor

Michael Giacomelli

Abstract

Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) are attractive alternatives to photomultiplier tubes for low signal applications due to their durability, manufacturability, and affordability. However, their effectiveness in fast applications is limited due to the slow decay in their impulse response. By optimizing our SiPM detector’s readout electronics, we were able to improve the bandwidth from 70 MHz to 315 MHz, achieving a impulse response full-width-half-max of 1.7 ns and a 90-10 fall time of 1.5 ns. This improvement will vastly increase the SiPM’s viability for applications such as LiDAR, PET, and future fluorescence microscopy directions in our lab.