Radiation detectors for space science exploration.

Radiation Measurements Performed with Active Detectors Relevant for Human Space Exploration

A reliable radiation risk assessment in space is a mandatory step for the development of countermeasures and long-duration mission planning in human spaceflight. Research in radiobiology provides information about possible risks linked to radiation. In addition, for a meaningful risk evaluation, the radiation exposure has to be assessed to a sufficient level of accuracy. Consequently, both the ...

Coplanar grid CdZnTe detectors for space science applications

The characteristics and performance for two of the latest coplanar grid CdZnTe detectors, which use the thirdgeneration coplanar grid design, will be discussed. These detectors, with dimensions of 1.5×1.5×0.9 cm and 1.5×1.5×0.95 cm, were fabricated by Baltic Scientific Instruments, Ltd., using crystals from Yinnel Tech, Inc. The high μeτe product measured for these crystals will lead to improve...

Bolometric Detectors for Space Astrophysics

An overview is given of the status of arrays of bolometric detectors for space astrophysics at wavelengths from ~ 40 to ~ 3000μm. The existing technologies based on semiconductor thermistors that are being prepared for current space missions are described first. The new opportunities provided by superconducting TES technology for large format arrays with multiplexed readouts are then described....

Detectors of Radiation

Optical Radiation Detectors & Noise

In this lab, we investigated the responsivity, time response, and noise performance of various photodetectors, including thermal detectors, silicon photodiodes, and photomultiplier tubes (PMT). A standard helium-neon gas laser (HeNe), operated in the red (632.8 nm), was used as the light source for the measurements of the silicon photodiodes. A flashlight served as a radiation source to measure...