title: Silicon photomultiplier detector for atmospheric lidar applications.
abstract: The viability and performance of using a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) in atmospheric lidar applications is experimentally compared against the well-established use of photomultiplier tubes. By using a modified lidar setup for simultaneous data acquisition of both types of sensors, we demonstrate that a SiPM can offer appropriate qualities for this specific application where the detection of fast, extremely low light pulses and large dynamic range signals are essential capabilities. The experimental results show that the SiPM has an appropriate behaviour offering suitable capabilities for elastic, backscatter aerosol lidars. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing SiPM for atmospheric lidar applications.
authors.affiliation: Center for Sensors, Instrumentation and Systems Development, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Terrassa, Spain. jordi.riu@cd6.upc.edu
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Riu
authors.forename: Michaël
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sicard
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Royo
authors.forename: Adolfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Comerón