New Thermoelectrically Cooled MPPC for Photon Counting Applications

Hamamatsu Photonics have expanded their range of semi-conductor detectors featuring photon detection capability with the introduction of the brand new S11028 series multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC).

The new device utilizes a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode structure for ultra-low-level light detection, and a two-stage thermoelectric cooler, which operates down to -20oC and reduces dark count to 1/20 of that at room temperature. The MPPC is easily connected to an external circuit for simple operation and is operated from a low voltage power supply (typically 70 Volts).

The S11028 series, with its active area of 1 mm x 1 mm, is available in three pixel counts (100, 400, or 1600 pixels). Each pixel contains a quenching resistor so that simultaneous photon events can be counted separately and with a high degree of accuracy. The devices feature typical gain values from 250,000 to several million, depending on the specific pixel number. They also feature high photon detection efficiency to UV and blue light, with peak sensitivity at 440 nm, making them ideal for scintillator readout.

The S11028 series is ideal for a variety of applications, including positron emission tomography, high-energy physics, DNA sequencing, fluorescence measurement, nuclear medicine, point of care systems, drug discovery, medical diagnostic equipment and environmental analysis. Hamamatsu also offers a temperature controller which maintains the temperature inside the thermoelectrically cooled package at a constant level.