# US 11,994,427 B2 · Silicon photomultiplier imaging system and method for cooling the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,994,427 B2 - Document ID: US11994427B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/280,741 - Filed: 2019-09-27 - Published: 2022-04-14 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2018-09-27 - Assignees: Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Applicants: Temple University-Of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Inventors: C. J. Martoff; Donald Jones; Andrew Ponento - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994427B2 ## CPC - G01J 1/42: using electric radiation detectors (optical or mechanical part G01J1/04; by comparison with a reference light or electric value G01J1/10) - G01J 1/44: Electric circuits {(for command of an exposure part G03B7/02)} - H01J 37/244: Detectors; Associated components or circuits therefor - H10N 10/13: characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction - G01J 2001/4453: {PMT} - H01J 2237/2441: Semiconductor detectors, e.g. diodes - H01J 2237/2445: Photon detectors for X-rays, light, e.g. photomultipliers - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) - H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H) - H10N: ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A light detection and measurement device comprises a silicon photomultiplier, at least one thermoelectric cooler thermally coupled to the silicon photomultiplier, a sealed enclosure surrounding the silicon photomultiplier and the at least one thermoelectric cooler, the enclosure including a substantially transparent window thermally coupled to the silicon photomultiplier, and a heat sinking device thermally coupled to the enclosure configured to remove waste heat. A method of cooling a silicon photomultiplier is also described. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A light detection and measurement device, comprising: a silicon photomultiplier; at least one thermoelectric cooler thermally coupled to the silicon photomultiplier; a sealed enclosure surrounding the silicon photomultiplier and the at least one thermoelectric cooler, the enclosure including a substantially transparent window thermally coupled to the silicon photomultiplier; and a heat sinking device thermally coupled to the enclosure configured to remove waste heat; wherein the heat sinking device comprises a water-cooled heat sink. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The light detection and measurement device of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermoelectric cooler comprises two thermoelectric coolers arranged in series. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The light detection and measurement device of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermoelectric cooler comprises two thermoelectric coolers arranged in parallel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The light detection and measurement device of claim 1, wherein the sealed enclosure comprises copper. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The light detection and measurement device of claim 1, wherein the sealed enclosure comprises stainless steel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The light detection and measurement device of claim 1, wherein the window comprises sapphire. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The light detection and measurement device of claim 1, wherein the window is in direct contact with the silicon photomultiplier. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The light detection and measurement device of claim 1, wherein the window is thermally coupled to the silicon photomultiplier with a thermally conductive paste. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The light detection and measurement device of claim 1, wherein the heat sinking device comprises a forced-air cooled heat sink. ### Claim 10 A light detection and measurement device, comprising: a silicon photomultiplier, at least one thermoelectric cooler thermally coupled to the silicon photomultiplier, a sealed enclosure surrounding the silicon photomultiplier and the at least one thermoelectric cooler, the enclosure including a substantially transparent window thermally coupled to the silicon photomultiplier, and a heat sinking device thermally coupled to the enclosure configured to remove waste heat; wherein the sealed enclosure is positioned in an outer enclosure, wherein the outer enclosure is filled with a dry gas. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The light detection and measurement device of claim 10, wherein the outer enclosure is fluidly connected to a vacuum pump configured to maintain a pressure in the outer enclosure of less than one milliTorr. ### Claim 12 A method for cooling a silicon photomultiplier, comprising: providing a silicon photomultiplier and at least one thermoelectric cooler; cooling the silicon photomultiplier by energizing the thermoelectric cooler; removing waste heat from the thermoelectric cooler with a heat sinking device; and comprising enclosing the silicon photomultiplier and the at least one thermoelectric cooler in a sealed chamber filled with a dry gas. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one thermoelectric cooler comprises two thermoelectric coolers in series. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one thermoelectric cooler comprises two thermoelectric coolers in parallel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising enclosing the silicon photomultiplier and the at least one thermoelectric cooler in a vacuum chamber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the heat sinking device is a forced-air cooled heat sink. ### Claim 17 A method for cooling a silicon photomultiplier, comprising: providing a silicon photomultiplier and at least one thermoelectric cooler; cooling the silicon photomultiplier by energizing the thermoelectric cooler; removing waste heat from the thermoelectric cooler with a heat sinking device; and cooling the silicon photomultiplier to a temperature less than −15° C.