SiPM understanding using simple Geiger-breakdown simulations

Abstract

The results of a 1-D Monte-Carlo program, which simulates the avalanche multiplication in diodes with depths of the order of 1 $\mu$m based on the method proposed in Ref.1, are presented. The aim of the study is to achieve a deeper understanding of silicon photo-multipliers. It is found that for a given over-voltage, $\mathit{OV}$, the maximum of the discharge current is reached at the breakdown voltage, $U_\mathit{bd}$, and that the avalanche stops when the voltage drops to $U_\mathit{bd} - \mathit{OV}$. This is completely different to the generally accepted understanding of SiPMs, which has already been noted in Ref.1. Simulated characteristics of the avalanche breakdown, like the time dependence of the avalanche current, over-voltage dependence of the Geiger-breakdown probability and the gain for photons and dark counts, are presented and compared to the expectations from silicon photo-multipliers.