Silicon avalanche photodiodes (APDs) for time-resolved x-ray measurements

摘要

We provide a general introduction to the use of silicon avalanche photo-diodes (APDs) for x-ray timing measurements. We describe (and compare) some devices available from various manufacturers. In general, time resolutions of approximately 1 ns are typical, and pulse widths from such devices are in the range of 1 to 10 ns, allowing high count rates to be reached, easily in excess of 10$+7$/ Hz. We include a table of different devices and detailed references.