Features of Silicon Photo Multipliers: Precision Measurements of Noise, Cross-Talk, Afterpulsing, Detection Efficiency

<para xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> Solid state single photon detectors are an emerging issue, with applications in the wide field of sensors and transducers. A new kind of device named Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) shows timing and charge resolution features that in some respect could even replace traditional photomultiplier tubes. In this paper we illustrate a complete method for the evaluation of gain, dark noise, afterpulsing, cross-talk and detection efficiency of SiPM detectors. We show the application of the method by comparing the performance of our newly developed SiPM (produced by ST Microelectronics) with another sensor present on the market (produced by Hamamatsu), and proving that our device is indeed already outstanding. </para>