Implementation of a new low cost detector for low intensity light pulses produced by a radioactive gamma-source

The readout of a cheap scintillating fibre was implemented by means of a new solid-state device (Silicon Photomultiplier, SIPM), able to detect very tiny light pulses. The GEANT3.21 code was adopted to simulate the counting detection efficiency and the energy deposited inside the scintillating fibre due to the radiation of a radioactive gamma source. The results obtained show the capability to detect gamma rays producing as few as 3-4 photoelectrons The new devices may have many applications in radioactivity metrology. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.