Particle Detectors

The course aims to provide students with a complete overview of particle detectors used in elementary particle physics, astroparticles and medical physics. Starting from the fundamental mechanisms of radiation-matter interaction, semiconductor, scintillation and gas detectors are discussed together with their applications for particle identification, direction and energy measurements.

At the end of the course the student will have acquired the following skills:
1) will know the main mechanisms of radiation-matter interaction.
2) will be able to understand how to use the radiation-matter interaction mechanisms to obtain a measurable signal through electronic devices.
3) will know the main types of particle detectors: scintillators, detectors and semiconductor, gas detectors and ionization chambers.
4) will be able to develop a rough project and to optimize a detector design for position measurement and trajectory of charged particles (tracking)
5) will be able to develop a rough project and to optimize a detector for energy measurement of charged and neutral particles (calorimeters)
6) will know how to combine the different detection techniques to determine the type of particle under measurement.
7) will understand the structure of complex experimental apparatus such as those used in high-energy physics or in neutrino physics and cosmic rays.