arXiv subjects

M. Zvolsky

Publications and source records attributed to M. Zvolsky.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

Analysis methods for highly radiation-damaged SiPMs

Prototype SiPMs with 4384 pixels of dimensions $15 \times 15~μ$m$^2$ produced by KETEK have been irradiated with reactor neutrons to eight fluences between $10^9$ and $5\times 10^{14}$ cm$^{-2}$. For temperatures between $-30~^\circ $C and $+30~^\circ $C capacitance-voltage, admittance-frequency, current-forward voltage, current-reverse voltage and charge-voltage measurements with and without illumination by a sub-nanosecond laser have been performed. The data have been analysed using different methods in order to extract the dependence on neutron fluence and temperature of the electrical parameters, the breakdown oltage, the activation energy for the current generation, the dark-count rate and the response to light pulses. The results from the different analysis methods are compared.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

Online energy discrimination at DAQ front-end level on pixelated TOF-PET systems

Pixelated PET systems produce higher count rates as they integrate several detecting channels per detector module. An increased data flow from the detectors posses higher needs on the bandwidth requirements. We aim to optimize the bandwidth usage efficiency by filtering on the fly the detected events with non valid energies. PET systems with a SiPM-ASIC readout scheme are being extensively used to get enhanced images on Time-Of-Flight PET scanners. These kind of digital readout systems are specially interesting for the application of on-line processing techniques given the ease of access to each detected event digital information. This study purses the analysis of on-line processing techniques on the DAQ front-end level (on-detector electronics) for pixelated PET systems with SiPM-ASIC readout. In particular, we worked with a tunable on-line energy discriminating stage. For the optimization of its hardwired internal limits we analyzed the system energy space. We explored different solutions dependent or not on the system's energy calibration. Results obtained through the different filter versions confirm the minimal resources consumption of such processing techniques implemented at DAQ front-end level. Our experiences showed how the filtering process reduces the bandwidth needs excluding from the data stream all non valid energy events and thus improving the system sensitivity under saturation conditions. Additionally, these experiments highlight how setting proper energy limits we ensure the preservation of the system performance, which maintains its original energy and time resolution. Under the light of these findings, we see a great potential on the application of on-line processing techniques for Time-Of-Flight PET at the DAQ font-end level (on-detector electronics) and so we envisaged more complex processing methods.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2017

Characterisation of highly radiation-damaged SiPMs using current measurements

The characterisation of radiation-damaged SiPMs is a major challenge, when the average time between dark counts approaches, or even exceeds, the signal decay time. In this note a collection of formulae is presented, which have been developed and used for the analysis of current measurements for SiPMs in the dark and illuminated by an LED, before and after hadron irradiation. It is shown, how parameters like the breakdown voltage, the quenching resistance, the dark-count rate, the reduction of the photo-detection efficiency due to dark counts and the Geiger discharge probability can be estimated from current-voltage measurements. The only additional SiPM parameters needed are the pixel capacitance, the number of pixels and the correlated noise. Central to the method is the concept of the pixel occupancy, the probability of a Geiger discharge in a single pixel during a given time interval, for which the decay time of the SiPM signal has been assumed. As an illustration the formulae are used to characterise a KETEK SiPM before and after irradiation by a fluence of 5E13 cm$^{-2}$ of reactor neutrons for temperatures of -30°C and +20°C, where dark-count rates exceeding 1E11 Hz are observed.

physics.ins-det↗