High gain avalanche photodiode arrays for DIRC applications

The detection of light emitted in Cherenkov radiators requires fast detector arrays with high sensitivity to short wavelength photons. Photomultiplier tubes, the traditional imaging detectors for short wavelength optical radiation, have limited spatial resolution and require expensive anti-magnetic shielding. We report on the performance of a new, Geiger mode operated, silicon micro-avalanche photodiode (/spl mu/APD) array, designed for Cherenkov light imaging applications.