Avalanche photodiodes for the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter

Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs) will be used as photodetectors for the CMS crystal barrel calorimeter, made of lead tungstate (PWO) scintillating crystals. After two years of strong R&D effort a significant progress was achieved, in collaboration with manufacturers, in the relevant properties of the device for LHC applications. Quantum efficiency, noise contributions and radiation resistance measurements of APDs are presented.