Solid State Photomultiplier Active Pulse Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation detection systems employing solid state photomultipliers face challenges with poor time resolution due to long pulse signals from microcells, and existing solutions like digital SiPMs are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating small electronic circuitry into each microcell of the SiPM to generate short digital pulses (approximately 2 ns or less) during readout, reducing the complexity and cost while maintaining stable gain and low noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If solid state photomultipliers with microcells are used to detect radiation, then radiation detection capability is improved, but time resolution deteriorates due to long pulse signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of pulse signal duration by using active pulse shaping circuitry to transform the long analog pulse signals (typically 100s of ns) into short digital pulses (2 ns or less), thereby improving time resolution while maintaining radiation detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional analog signal processing approach with a digital approach, substituting analog pulse signals with digitally shaped pulses generated through electronic circuitry comprising comparators and digital pulse generators
2Measurement precision
If digital solid state photomultiplier circuitry is used to improve time resolution, then time resolution is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing function into distinct modular components within each microcell: a comparator that compares the analog signal to a reference level, and a digital pulse generator that produces the shaped pulse. This segmentation allows for simplified implementation while achieving the desired time resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by incorporating the pulse shaping circuitry directly within each microcell of the solid state photomultiplier, allowing each microcell to independently generate and process its own signal without requiring complex external processing circuitry
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides fast single photoelectron response, stable gain, reduced temperature sensitivity, and improved energy and timing resolution for radiation detectors, simplifying readout electronics.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator layer configured to generate photons in response to incident radiation
Implementation Method 2
Each microcell, in response to photons generated by the scintillator, is configured to generate a digital pulse signal
Data Source
AI summary
Photomultipliers are disclosed which comprise circuitry for detecting photo electric events and generating short digital pulses in response. In one embodiment, the photomultipliers comprise solid state photomultipliers having an array of microcells. The microcells, in one embodiment, in response to incident photons, generate a digital pulse signal having a duration of about 2 ns or less.