Evaluation of the absolute single-photon detection efficiency of HRPPD

TL;DR

This paper reports the first direct measurement of the photon detection efficiency of HRPPDs at 398.6 nm, demonstrating their potential for high-precision photon detection in advanced physics experiments.

Contribution

It provides the first direct measurement of HRPPD photon detection efficiency in a pulse counting mode, with detailed analysis of collection efficiency and comparison to quantum efficiency.

Findings

Photon detection efficiency at 398.6 nm is 17.1% with statistical and systematic uncertainties.

Collection efficiency of HRPPD at the tested wavelength is approximately 70%.

Quantum efficiency at the same wavelength exceeds 30% in previous measurements.

Abstract

Pixelated High Rate Picosecond Photon Detectors (HRPPDs) by Incom Inc. are promising photosensors for use in Ring Imaging CHerenkov (RICH) detectors, where a high gain, sub-mm position resolution and sub-100ps timing resolution are required in a single photon mode. Quantum Efficiency (QE) has been measured for the first batch of EIC HRPPDs both by Incom and EIC research groups at Jefferson Lab and Brookhaven Lab, with peak values at $\sim$365 nm typically exceeding 30%. In this study, we present a first direct measurement of Photon Detection Efficiency being equal to (17.1 $\pm$ 0.1 [stat] $\pm$ 0.3 [sys])% at 398.6 nm, for a pixel near the center of HRPPD, in a photoelectron pulse counting mode using a picosecond diode laser. HRPPD QE at the same spot and at the same wavelength was evaluated to be (24.4 $\pm$ 0.1 [stat] $\pm$ 0.3 [sys])%, leading to a Collection Efficiency estimate of (70.3 $\pm$ 1.6)%, which is consistent with the expectations.