Digital Signal Processing for SiPM Timing Resolution

Digital signal processing (DSP) is an emerging trend in experimental studies and applications of various detectors including SiPMs. In particular, the DSP is recognized as a promising approach to improve coincidence timing resolution (CTR) of fast SiPM-based scintillation detectors. Single photon timing resolution (SPTR) is one of the key parameters affecting CTR, especially important in a case when CTR is approaching to its ultimate limits as, for example, highly demanded in Time-of-Flight PET. To study SiPM timing resolution, we developed a special DSP software and applied it to both SPTR and CTR measurements. These measurements were carried out using 3x3 mm(2) KETEK SiPM samples of timing optimized and standard designs with 405 nm picosecond laser for SPTR and with 3x3x5 mm(3) LYSO crystals and 511 keV Na-22 source for CRT. Results of the study are useful for further improvements of DSP algorithms and SiPM designs for fast timing.