Subnanosecond timing with semiconductor position sensitive detectors

The timing properties of semiconductor resistive dividing position sensitive detectors (PSD) are studied. It is shown that high quality timing (FWHM <1 ns) is possible for any selected area of about 10% of the total length of the SPD. The timing signal is generated by the charge signal taken from the nonresistive electrode. If the relation between timing and position of irradiation is known off-line corrections to the timing using position information may improve the time resolution to 350 ps for the full length of the PSD. An attempt is made to explain the time resolution and the empiric position-timing relation for several PSDs