Detectors: Theory - Operation & Maintenance Course

Prerequisites: None.

Purpose: This course provides an overview of solid-state detector theory with emphasis on semiconductor and scintillation detectors used for spectroscopy.

Description:
This course is designed for new and experienced spectroscopists who want to learn how charged particle and photon detectors work, their capabilities and limitations, and other considerations in their design and maintenance. The emphasis in this course is on semiconductor detectors (GE and Si) used in alpha, beta, gamma, and x-ray spectroscopy along with a brief review of scintillation detector principles.

Course Content

• Radiation interactions with matter
• Semiconductor materials
• The junction diode
• Charged particle detectors
  • Silicon surface barrier
  • PIPs
• The P-I-N configuration diode
  • P-type detectors
    • HPGe
    • Ge (Li)
    • Si (Li)
  • n-type detectors
    • REGe
    • LEGe
• Cryostat design and other vacuum considerations
• NaI detectors
• Detector effects on spectra