Patent · US Active

Integrated digital discriminator for a silicon photomultiplier

US9217795B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
0References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 24, 2012
Grant dateDec 22, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 21, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K2005/00078
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods are provided that minimize the effects of dark-current pulses. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided where a first pixel is struck (i.e., a primary pixel). Pixels struck within a fixed time frame after the primary pixel is struck are referred to as secondary pixels. After a short fixed time frame has expired, the number of primary and secondary pixels is added. If the count exceeds a threshold, the primary pixel was activated by the first (or early) photon from a true gamma event. If the threshold is not met then it is likely the primary pixel generated a dark pulse that should be ignored.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.