SH2306 Experimental Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physics 8.0 credits

• The interaction of electromagnetic and particle radiation with matter
• Energy Loss Mechanisms and Spectrum Formation. Measurement Statistics.
• Basic principles of Detectors for Ionizing Radiation
• Semiconductor Detectors (and ionization chambers)
• Scintillation detectors, Photomultipliers and Photodiodes
• Gaseous Detectors
• Position Sensitive Detectors
• Detectors for Weakly Ionizing Radiation
• Signal Formation, Electronic noise and Optimization of Signal-to-Noise Ratio
• Pulse Processing Electronics, Amplification, Pulse Shaping and Digitization
• Timing and Lifetime Measurements
• Development of a Detector System Concept
• Overview of Applications of Nuclear and Particle Physics
• Radiation Detectors for Medical Imaging
• Nuclear Techniques for Material Analysis
• Systems for Nuclear Safeguards, Public Security and Environmental Monitoring

The course aims to provide the students with an understanding of basic radiation detection techniques for nuclear and particle physics and their applications in other fields of science, medicine and industry. After completion of the course the student should be able to:

• Describe the basic interaction mechanisms relevant for radiation detectors and explain their importance for detecting various types of ionizing radiation at different energies.
• Describe the properties of the most common types of detector materials, the working principles behind detectors based on these materials and their characteristic properties with respect to energy resolution, efficiency etc.
• Apply the knowledge about radiation interactions and detector principles to choose the most suitable type of detector for a given detection task.
• Select the appropriate electronics building blocks needed for a certain detector system and explain their function.
• Describe common sources of noise in radiation detection, their origin and how they can be minimized.
• Explain the limiting factors to the energy and time resolution of a detector system.
• Design a radiation detection system, including its basic electronics building blocks, and use it in the laboratory.
• Compile information from one’s own work and from the scientific literature into a written report and an oral presentation.

English B / English 6

Recommended prerequisites: Previous knowledge of basic atomic, nuclear, particle and solid state physics corresponding Modern Physics. The course is intended for students that have completed around 3 years of physics or engineering physics (i.e. are at the Master level) or are engaged in studies at the graduate level.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• LAB1 - Laboratory Work, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Examination, 6.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

One written examination (TEN1; 6 university credits).
Laboratory project work with a written report and an oral presentation (LAB1; 2 university credits).

Yes

Bo Cederwall

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.