[Aavso-photometry] Hamamatsu MPPC

[Rumrill, Donald M (US SSA)]

Thanks for the reply Arne.  I took a quick run through Hamamatsu's new
data sheet, and it looked interesting.  One would have to control the
sample time to get away from the saturation effects.  Ham claims that
it's a room temp part (?).  Here's a link to their new data sheet:

http://jp.hamamatsu.com/products/sensor-ssd/4010/index_en.html

I haven't worked through it yet.

Don


Don Rumrill
Components Engineering
BAE Systems Electronics and Integrated Solutions
600 Main St., M/S S18
Johnson City, NY 13790
607-770-3590
 

-----Original Message-----
From: arne [mailto:arne at aavso.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 4:19 PM
To: Rumrill, Donald M (US SSA)
Cc: aavso-photometry at mira.aavso.org
Subject: Re: [Aavso-photometry] Hamamatsu MPPC

Rumrill, Donald M (US SSA) wrote:
> Has anyone looked at the potentials for using this device for
> photometry?  It seems to be extremely sensitive, but may have some
> saturation problems.  I haven't really looked at it yet, but there may
> be some sampling time methods for getting around the saturation
> problems.
> 
Jeff gives a good URL for information on these devices.  The points
to give concern:

-QE is only 30 percent
-these are Avalanche photodiodes, which traditionally have low
counting rates due to quench times.  They are also very susceptible
to dark current (must be cooled) and voltage variations.
-usually you have to have a separate signal chain for each diode
-not yet available.

The main advantage is photon counting.  I'd look at the
EMCCDs first, if you are thinking along these lines.  TI
did announce an inexpensive EMCCD back a few years ago.
Arne