In the last ten years silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) have gained terrain in
experiments and applications in which photomultiplier tubes have been the
dominant photosensors during decades. Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes
(IACTs) for very high energy (VHE, E>50 GeV) gamma-ray astronomy are
experiencing the same process. Until now FACT was the only IACT using SiPMs. In
the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), the next-generation VHE gamma-ray
observatory, at least 70 telescopes equipped with SiPMs are planned to be
built. The first prototypes have already been constructed and are now being
commissioned. Here we discuss some of the advantages and drawbacks of using
SiPMs in VHE gamma-ray astronomy and provide a brief overview of different
developments related to the use of SiPMs in IACTs.Comment: Accepted for publication in JINST. 9 pages, 7 figures. Proceedings of
the 5th INFIER
