Geiger avalanche photodiodes as tentative light detectors for VHE gamma ray astronomy

Abstract

Due to its sensitivity and speed, the detector still widely used in Cerenkov astrophysics experiments remains the PhotoMultiplier Tube (PMT). For instance, recent pathbreaking experiments in Very High Energy astrophysics (VHE), such as MAGIC and HESS, have used mainstream PMT technology (Aharonian et al, Astron Astrophys 492(1):L25-L28, 2008). Moreover the Cerenkov Telescope Array (CTA) which is now in its design phase, is also planed to be based on PMT's. However, there are some disadvantages to the PMT technology: the rather poor quantum efficiency, the use of high voltages, the high cost when used in large number in a matrix arrangement and the large weight. Hence, we have investigated the possibility to design future Cerenkov telescopes based on solid state technology, specifically Geiger avalanche photodiodes. In a preliminary development