  The multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC) is a newly developed photodetector with
an excellent photon counting capability. It also has many attractive features
such as small size, high gain, low operation voltage and power consumption, and
capability of operating in magnetic fields and in room temperature. The basic
performance of samples has been measured. A gain of ~10^6 is achieved with a
noise rate less than 1 MHz with 1 p.e. threshold, and cross-talk probability of
less than 30% at room temperature. The photon detection efficiency for green
light is twice or more that of the photomultiplier tubes. It is found that the
basic performance of the MPPC is satisfactory for use in real experiments.
