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Very Large, High Gain APDs for Particle Physics

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: DE-FG02-03ER83763
Agency Tracking Number: 73066S03-I
Amount: $750,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: 43
Solicitation Number: DOE/SC-0059
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2003
Award Year: 2004
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
44 Hunt Street Suite 200
Watertown, MA 02472
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: Yes
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Kanai Shah
 Mr.
 (617) 926-1167
 kshah@rmdinc.com
Business Contact
 Gerald Entine
Title: Dr.
Phone: (617) 926-1167
Email: gentine@rmdinc.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

73066-For several decades, photo-multiplier tubes (PMT) have been the key technology for sensing light in most high energy physics research operations. Although extraordinarily successful, PMT technology has a number of limitations: large PMTs cannot be mass produced, they cannot operate under pressures exceeding a few atmospheres, their sensitivity is limited over a small wavelength band, their optical quantum efficiency is low, they cannot operate under high magnetic fields, and they are bulky. This project effort will investigate very large avalanche photodiodes (APDs) as optical detectors for eventual use in particle physics studies. These APDs are planned for operation under conditions where single optical photon detection is possible. Phase I demonstrated the feasibility of producing large, high gain APDs using the planar process. Extensive characterization of these large APDs was performed. During Phase II, the large APD technology will characterized, and their applicability for to high energy physics experiments and systems (e.g., water Cherenkov detectors, calorimetry (KOPIO and MECO), and liquid Xe detectors) will be determined. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: The detector technology should be very promising for high energy physics experiments. It also should be applicable in medical imaging systems (such as PET and SPECT), nuclear physics, astronomy, diffraction, non-destructive studies, safeguards, and bore hole logging.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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