Learning the use of scintillation detectors, solid-state detectors (HPGe, Si, CZT) and instrumentation used in health/environmental physics, including a PET tomograph teaching module.
Course Prerequisites
Knowledge of interaction of radiation with matter, electronics, statistics and data analysis.
Teaching Methods
The course is organized into lectures and laboratory experiences. In the presentations, theory is recalled and the technology of the instruments that will be used in the laboratory is introduced.
Assessment Methods
Oral and practical examination based on the laboratory experiences and the laboratory notebook, which could be handed in to the lecturer prior to the examination.
Texts
i) William R. Leo, Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physics Experiments: A How-To Approach (Springer-Verlag, 2nd revised edition, 1994). ii) Glenn F. Knoll, Radiation detection and measurement (Wiley, 4th edition, 2010). iii) PDF files of presentations.
Contents
Laboratory experiences: - NaI(Tl) chain assembly. - Energy calibration of a NaI(Tl) chain. - Analysis of gamma spectra. - Identification of radionuclides by gamma spectrometry. - Energy resolution of a NaI(Tl). - Measurement of radionuclide activity. - Measurement of mass attenuation coefficient of Pb and Al. - Calibration in efficiency of an HPGe. - Neutron activation and analysis of activated samples. - Characterization of a PMT and SiPM array. - Alpha spectrometry. - Characterization of a CZT solid-state detector and gamma spectrometry for BNCT. - PET tomography.
Course Language
English
More information
STUDENT OFFICE HOURS: - by appointment, arranged by email at: prof.nicoletta.protti@universitadipavia.it
