Optimal design of plastic scintillator counter with multiple SiPM readouts for best time resolution

Abstract This study aimed to make a timing counter of the best time resolution with an about 10 cm square plastic scintillator read out by multiple SiPMs. To achieve this, SiPM connection scheme, counter geometry and difference of plastic scintillators were investigated. As a result, the best time resolution was achieved with a counter of 80 × 175 × 5  mm 3 EJ-230 read out on each side by four readout channels of four SiPMs connected in series, marking σ t = 28 ps with position dependence less than 5 ps.