Ce:LaBr3 crystals with SiPM array readout and temperature control for the FAMU experiment at RAL

Compact X-rays detectors made of 1/2′′ Ce:LaBr3 crystals of cubic shape with SiPM array readout have been developed for the FAMU experiment at RIKEN-RAL, to instrument regions of difficult access. Due to the high photon yield of Ce:LaBr3 it was possible to use a simple readout scheme based on CAEN V1730 digitizers, without a dedicated amplification stage. The drift with temperature of SiPM gain was corrected by using CAEN A7885D regulated power supply chips with temperature feedback. Energy resolutions (FWHM) around 3.5% at the 137Cs peak and around 9% at the 57Co peak were obtained.