The Optimal Intrinsic Parameters for Low Light Detection in silicon photomultipliers(SiPM

Over the past century, photon detectors have played an increasingly important role in radiation detection in medical diagnostics and nuclear physics research. Since the 1930s, we have used photomultiplier tubes (PMT) that have been pivotal in obtaining scientific knowledge. However, the PMT, with its bulky design, sensitivity to magnetic fields, and high operating bias voltage of 1-2 kV limits their viability when quantifying and or time stamping light signals are important (high energy physics,biophotonics,and LiDAR). The silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) has recently become a valid alternative for many applications requiring photodetection. SiPMs are less expensive and require a much lower bias voltage than PMTs. When detecting scintillation light (photons emitted when a scintillator absorbs energetic radiation, for our purposes from scattered neutrons), SiPMs allow for more freedom to arrange the sensors in optimal locations to maximize the detection of light around the scintillator. The added flexibility that SiPMs bring to designing neutron detectors will allow us to make higher resolution measurements of nuclear decays that will allow us to further study the nuclear structure of unstable isotopes that exist in neutron stars. With the use of a multichannel analyzer (MCA) and an analog to digital converter (ADC) the breakdown voltage and dark count rate will be found for a wide variety of SiPM types.