Silicon Detectors for Gamma-Ray Astronomy
摘要
Silicon semiconductor detectors have heralded a worldwide revolution in gamma-ray astrophysics. Because of their ease of fabrication, abundance, and functionality at room temperature, silicon detectors have become the to-go detector for large-scale use in gamma-ray telescopes. This chapter will discuss the principles of silicon detectors, including the interaction of photons in silicon, their operating principles, and various detector technologies. Finally the chapter will overview a sample of past and currently operating space-based gamma-ray missions which have implemented various silicon detector technologies and briefly discuss the future outlook.