Photon counting detectors and their applications ranging from particle physics experiments to environmental radiation monitoring and medical imaging

Photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) have played essential roles in various applications, such as fundamental particle physics experiments, nuclear medicine, and environmental radiation monitoring, for several decades. Understandings their physical properties as well as present applications is indispensable for the development and future applications of these detectors. In this review, we describe the physical principles of PMTs and SiPMs and introduce various applications of these detectors.