The Physics of Particle Detectors

A comprehensive introduction to the physical principles and design of particle detectors, covering all major detector types in use today.

Dan Green (Author)

9780521675680, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 14 July 2005

376 pages, 151 b/w illus. 9 tables 133 exercises
24.4 x 17 x 2 cm, 0.6 kg

'Green has written a valuable wide-ranging text in an original style, exploiting well his long experience. Since Rutherford, instrumentation of nuclear and particle physics experiments has been a significant inspiration to many in the field. This book provides an excellent starting point for those hoping to maintain this tradition.' G. Hall, Contemporary Physics

This text provides a comprehensive introduction to the physical principles and design of particle detectors, covering all major detector types in use today. The book begins with a reprise of the size and energy scales involved in different physical processes. It then considers non-destructive methods, including the photoelectric effect, photomultipliers, scintillators, Cerenkov and transition radiation, scattering and ionisation and the use of magnetic fields in drift and wire chambers. A complete chapter is devoted to silicon detectors. In the final part of the book, the author discusses destructive measurement techniques including Thompson and Compton scattering, Bremsstrahlung and calorimetry. Throughout the book, emphasis is placed on explaining the physical principles on which detection is based, and showing, by considering appropriate examples, how those principles are best utilised in real detectors. This approach also reveals the limitations that are intrinsic to different devices. Exercises and detailed further reading lists are included.

Part I. Introduction: 1. Size, energy, cross section
Part II. Non-Destructive Measurements: Part II. A. Time and Velocity: 2. The photoelectric effect, photomultipliers, scintillators
3. Cerenkov radiation
4. Transition radiation
Part II. B. Scattering and Ionization: 5. Elastic EM scattering
6. Ionization
Part II. C. Position and Momentum: 7. Magnetic fields
8. Drift and diffusion in materials, wire chambers
9. SI detectors
Part III. Destructive Measurements: Part III. A. Radiation: 10. Radiation and photon scattering
Part III. B. Energy Measurements: 11. EM Calorimetry
12. Hadronic calorimetry
Part IV. The Complete Set of Measurements: 13. Summary
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Particle & high-energy physics [PHP]