Making radiation sensors smart enough for computers

Abstract

The physical operation of nuclear radiation sensors is briefly reviewed. This is followed by a description of a typical experimental measurement-system setup, which can be divided into two parts: the application-specific part (including the detector and its associated electronics) and the computer-interfaced part (consisting of a multichannel analyzer). A number of recent improvements in the system design are discussed, followed by an extended description of one of the most promising new ideas, the monolithic integration of both the radiation sensor and its associated electronics on one high-ohmic silicon substrate. The results prove to be a stimulus for making radiation sensors smart enough for computers.<>