Stabilizing SiPM output with adaptive temperature compensation in portable real-time PCR devices.

Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology is essential in clinical pathogen measurement due to its high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Portable real-time PCR instruments, known for their quick response, mobility, and efficiency, are crucial for controlling emerging infectious diseases at the grassroots level. Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), with their high gain, sensitivity, low bias voltage, magnetic field insensitivity, and compactness, are widely used in various applications, including real-time PCR instruments. However, the gain of SiPM is temperature-dependent, which affects performance stability. In grassroots measurement environments, inadequate heat dissipation during equipment operation can alter SiPM working temperatures, impacting performance. To address this, we propose an innovative technique using a pair of Polymethyl Methacrylate(PMMA) polymer reference samples to stabilize SiPM output against temperature variations. This method effectively controls SiPM output fluctuations within 1%, even with temperature changes exceeding 10C, enhancing the stability, portability, and cost-effectiveness of fluorescence PCR instrument optical systems.