Development of Silicon Photomultiplier Prototype for UHECR Fluorescence Detection from Space

Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM or MPPC) offer an alternative low light detector to Multi-Anode Photomultiplier Tubes with the benefits of low operating voltage, compact packaging and reduced susceptibility to damage. Design and construction of a Silicon photomultiplier Elementary Cell Add-on camera (SiECA) comprising front end opto-electric sensors, specifically designed ASIC signal processing chipset, data handling FPGA, support electronics and firmware integrated in a robust unit for integration on existing detector systems. The focus of this presentation will be the technical aspects of using SiPM or MPPC for astroparticle physics, particularly with respect to this implementation.