MPPC (Multi-Pixel Photon Counter)

		The MPPC is a new type of photon counting device made up of multiple APD (avalanche photodiode) pixels operated in Geiger mode and and available in room temperature operation. The MPPC is essentially an opto-semiconductor device with excellent photon counting capability and which also possesses great advantages such as low voltage operation and insensitivity to magnetic fields.

MPPC

The MPPC ismade up of multiple APD pixels connected in parallel and operated in Geiger mode.　Various types of devices with different pixel sizes and package types are prepared.

The MPPC module is a photon counting module capable of low-light-level detection. This module consists of an MPPC device, current-to-voltage converter circuit, high-speed comparator circuit, high-voltage power supply circuit, temperature-compensation circuit, counter circuit, and microcomputer.

Hamamatsu Photonics

Introduction of MPPC (Multi-Pixel Photon Counter)


	Technical information(1.06 MB)

What is the MPPC ?

The MPPC is a kind of so-called Si-PM (Silicon Photomultiplier) devices. It is a photon counting device consisting of multiple APD pixels operating in Geiger mode. Each APD pixel of the MPPC outputs a pulse signal when it detects one photon. The signal output from the MPPC is the total sum of the outputs from all APD pixels. The MPPC offers the high-performance needed in photon counting and is used in diverse applications for detecting extremely weak light at the photon counting level.

Features

- Excellent photon counting capability(Excellent detection efficiency versus number of incident photons)

- Room temperature operation

- Low bias (below 100 V) operation

- High gain

- Excellent time resolution

- Insensitive to magnetic fields

- Small size

- Simple readout circuit operation

- MPPC module available (option)

Examples of applications

The MPPC is used in diverse applications for detecting extremely weak light at the photon counting level. Simple operation and high-performance detection makes MPPC promising for photon counting applications where extreme photodetector sensitivity is needed. The MPPC is ideal for a wide range of fields including fluorescence analysis, fluorescence lifetime measurement, biological flow cytometry, confocal microscopes, biochemical sensors, bioluminescence analysis, and single molecular detection.
Another great feature of the MPPC is that it is not susceptible to magnetic fields. This means that, for example, when the MPPC is used as a detector for a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scanner, the PET can be integrated into an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) system to create a new type of equipment. Furthermore, the MPPC can be put into use in high energy physics experiments because of features, such as room temperature operation, low bias voltage, and small size suitable for high density assembly.

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