Characterization of a Novel SiPM Sensor Interface Using an Off-the-Shelf Second-Generation Voltage Conveyor

A novel SiPM interface using an off-the-shelf Second-Generation Voltage Conveyor (VCII) has been developed and characterized through simulations and test experiments. The proposed design aims to reduce the impact of the large SiPM capacitance without affecting the circuit bandwidth. A simple SiPM interface prototype was implemented using a current-feedback operational amplifier, AD844 from Analog Devices Inc., operating as VCII. The prototype board was tested, reading out a 3 × 3-mm2 SiPM, Hamamatsu S13360-3025CS, in an experimental setup comprising a dark box and a pulsed green LED as the internal light source. The signal rise time of ~18 ns was obtained for single photon pulses with the signal-to-noise ratio >30 in pulse height. The frequency response of the circuit was simulated for different transimpedance gains, and the experimental results were verified by transient analyses. Furthermore, a second scenario with a custom-made VCII, designed using discrete components, was compared with the AD844 option at the simulation level. The results showed significant improvements in time characteristics.