PX3144: Electromagnetic Radiation Detection
School | Cardiff School of Physics & Astronomy |
Department Code | PHYSX |
Module Code | PX3144 |
External Subject Code | 100425 |
Number of Credits | 10 |
Level | L6 |
Language of Delivery | English |
Module Leader | Professor Simon Doyle |
Semester | Autumn Semester |
Academic Year | 2014/5 |
Outline Description of Module
- To introduce the concepts involved in the detection of electromagnetic radiation across the entire spectrum from radio waves to x-rays.
- To describe and explain the physical processes involved in detection and their application in current technology.
- To explain the fundamental limits to the sensitivity of radiation detection, and how closely they can be approached in practice.
- To note and understand the implications of the fundamental physical and practical limits to the detection process.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
- Quantify the fundamental limits to electromagnetic (EM) radiation detection.
- Describe the physical mechanisms and the technologies used to detect EM radiation across the spectrum.
- Outline the basics of low-noise signal processing.
- Describe some detectors and techniques used in research and industrial environments.
How the module will be delivered
Lectures 22 x 1 hr, Exercises.
Skills that will be practised and developed
Mathematics. Problem solving. Investigative skills. Analytical skills.
How the module will be assessed
Examination 80%. Coursework 20%. [Examination duration: 2 hours]
Assessment Breakdown
Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
---|---|---|---|
Exam - Autumn Semester | 80 | Electromagnetic Radiation Detection | 2 |
Written Assessment | 20 | Electromagnetic Radiation Detection | N/A |
Syllabus content
- Electromagnetic radiation mechanisms: from radio to y-rays: continuum and line radiation; black body radiation; free-free radiation; radiation from an accelerated charge – cyclotron and synchrotron radiation, dipole radiation; line radiation - nuclear, electronic, vibrational, rotational, fine structure, Zeeman splitting.
- Interaction of radiation with matter: absorption mechanisms and characterisation at radio, infrared, visible-UV, X-ray and gamma-ray wavelengths.
- Radiation theory: power, flux, intensity; equation of radiative transfer and applications.
- Key concepts in measurement: transduction, responsivity, response time, background, noise, direct and coherent detection.
- Noise in photon detection: the ideal photon detector, photon shot noise and wave noise; fundamental limits to sensitivity; responsive and detective quantum efficiencies, NEP, noise temperature, noise spectral density, signal-to-noise; noise mechanisms - thermal, electron shot noise, phonon noise, read noise, 1/f noise, interference; integration; minimising noise.
- Radio detection: single-mode detection, basic total power radiometer, heterodyne receiver, spectral line detection, receiver sensitivity.
- Infrared and millimetre-wave detection: photoconductive and photovoltaic detectors, infrared imaging; bolometric detectors; superconducting detectors; cryogenic systems.
- Visible-UV detection: photoemissive detectors; CCD arrays, adaptive optics.
- X-ray and y-ray detection: photon absorption mechanisms; proportional counters; X-ray spectrometers; low-temperature X-ray calorimeters; scintillators; semiconductor detectors; spark chamber; anticoincidence and veto detection systems.
- High-energy particle physics detectors
Essential Reading and Resource List
Detection of Light from the Ultraviolet to the Submillimeter, G H Rieke
Background Reading and Resource List
Suitable texts on particular aspects of the course will be recommended
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