Towards the development of a SiPM-based module for the camera of the Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope prototype of the Cherenkov Telescope Array

The Italian Institute of Nuclear Physics is currently involved in the development of a prototype for a camera based on Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) for the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), a new generation of telescopes for ground{based gamma{ray astronomy. In recent years, SiPMs have proven to be highly suitable devices for applications where high sensitivity to low{intensity light and fast responses are required. Among their many advantages are their low operational voltage when compared with classical photomultiplier tubes, mechanical robustness, and increased photo{detection efficiency (PDE). Moreover, due to the possibility of operating them during bright moonlight, SiPMs can therefore considerably increase telescope duty cycle. Here we present a full characterization of a particular type of SiPM produced in Italy by the Fondazione Bruno Kessler, which is suitable for Cherenkov light detection in the Near-Ultraviolet (NUV). This device is a High{Density (HD) NUV SiPM, based on a micro cell of 40 μm × 40 μm and with an area of 6×6 mm², providing low levels of dark noise and high PDE peaking in the NUV band. NUV-HD SiPMs will be arranged in a matrix of 8×8 single units to become part of the focal plane of the Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope prototype for CTA. An update on recent tests of the front-end electronics based on signal sampling with the TARGET-7 chip will be given as well.