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Cosmic experiment takes advantage of photo diodes

The Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass (CREAM) experiment to study cosmic ray origins will use a number of Hybrid Photo Diodes (HPDs) from Photonis.

The CREAM experiment involves a series of long duration balloon flights that provide extended exposure to and measurement of cosmic ray energies in order to understand their origin. CREAM is one of several experiments being conducted by the University of Maryland Cosmic Ray Physics Group.

Photonis Hybrid Photo Diodes were considered ideal for the CREAM project due to their unique combination of low power, low weight, and high channel count as well as their ability to measure single photons. The HPDs will be used as critical sensors on a new calorimeter readout system, which measures the energies of ionised cosmic particles. The Photonis HPDs will be installed as part of the CREAM VII flight, which is scheduled to launch in 2011.

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