FYSS3553 Techniques for Nuclear and Accelerator-based Physics Experiments, part A (6 cr)

10 lectures and four laboratory exercises carried out in small groups.

Lectures:

- Interaction of radiation with matter (heavy ions, electrons, photons)

- Concepts in radiation detection and introduction to gaseous, scintillator and semiconductor detectors, signal processing, digital electronics and MWD, spectral features, counting statistics, Currie limits

- Lifetime measurements, Coulex, Electron Spectroscopy

Laboratory Exercises:

1: Gamma ray detection and attenuation of gamma-rays

2: Alpha particle detection

3: Gamma-gamma coincidence measurements

4: Alpha-gamma coincidence and lifetime determination

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• describe and compare the basic interactions of radiation with matter and apply this for detector type for nuclear and accelerator-based physics experiments
• explain the basic principles of radiation detection and gaseous, scintillator and semiconductor detectors
• describe typical signal processing chains and explain the basics of digital signal processing used in nuclear spectroscopy
• operate various radiation detectors used in nuclear and accelerator-based physics experiments
• construct measurement and coincidence circuits from modular electronics and use radiation detectors
• recognise features of spectra from radiation detectors and relate them to the physical processes causing them
• apply counting statistics and detection limits in nuclear spectroscopy experiments

10 lectures and four laboratory exercises carried out in small groups. 

Students enrolling to this course are expected to have completed the courses FYSS3301 Fundamentals of Nuclear Physics (recommended) and FYSS3302 Applied Nuclear Physics (compulsory).

Lecture slides and associated notes; relevant contemporary articles given by lecturers; independent literature searches.