The history of the photodetection field is full of exciting breakthroughs that changed not only the course of this field but also many others. SiPM is one recent example which transformed the photon detection field in the last decades. WG6 intends to play the role of the DRD4 collaboration’s gate for novel ideas and revolutionary concepts. The WG will provide these new ideas with the right environment to prosper and will help the new concepts to reach the required level of maturity, with the hope to transform some of them into breakthroughs in the field.

Several original concepts have been presented during the formation phase of the DRD4 Collaboration, including - for example - new photodetectors with extended wavelength sensitivity range or the use of nano-technology techniques to achieve detectors with unprecedented spatial and timing resolutions. All these ideas, as well new ones, will benefit from WG6 to find the ideal environment to grow and become new concepts which might impact the future of photon detection.

The WG will exploit the expertise of DRD4 members to evaluate the new ideas and compare them with the state-of-the-art, assessing their potential but also finding their limitations. WG6 will help the groups to find the right techniques to transform their new concepts into prototypes for validation. To achieve this, strong connections with the other WGs will be established. Novel photon detection concepts developed within this WG might have a strong impact not only in HEP, but also in life sciences, quantum optics/imaging and other emerging fields.