Progress in the use of avalanche photodiodes for readout for calorimeters

Abstract

During the past year the Superconducting Super Collider Tracking Group has progressed from acquisition of its first avalanche photodiode (APD) to installation of a 96-channel array of the devices. The work was motivated by the desire to learn how to use APDs as the sensitive elements in a fiber tracking detector, moderated by the presence of limited resources and the absence of activity within groups outside the SSC Laboratory on such a project. We chose, therefore, to team up with an ongoing research effort which intended to evaluate both pre-shower and shower-maximum detectors and various means of sensing the light produced. The pre-shower detector is made of layers of scintillating fibers similar to a fiber tracker. The shower-maximum detector uses optical fibers to transmit the light from scintillating plates to the readout devices. Our contribution has been to develop the APD array for use in this test from concept to operation. Currently, the equipment is installed in Fermilab's MP beamline awaiting delivery to the final 36 APDs and exposure to the beam. 9 refs., 18 figs.