Space Instrumentation

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

The teaching method includes the classes for discussion of the experimental work to be carried on in the laboratory.

In the course of the laboratory classes the students carry on experiments that use and exemplify the techniques at use in the areas of radiation detection and astrophysics.

The course is organized in three modules, identified as: i) optical instrumentation, IR and UV ii) X-ray instrumentation, and iii) gamma ray and high energy instrumentation.

Learning Outcomes

Main specific skills:
Understanding the instrumentation techniques for radiation detection
Understanding the fundamentals, scientific and technological, for projecting space instrumentation
Understanding the physical phenomena underlying the instrumentation and detection techniques
Ability to solve problems and to implement solutions
Secondary specific skills:
Mathematical skills to solve problems
Ability to learn
Ability to search and use bibliography.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction: Data channels in astrophysics (electromagnetic radiation and particles); detectors with interest for space.
2. Optical Telescopes / IR (adaptive optics, photometry, filters, polarimetry, spectroscopy, interferometry).
3. Photodetectors (UV / visible / NIR): general characteristics and operating modes (PMTs, photodiodes, APD, MCP, CCDs); noise; signal / noise ratio.
4. Spectroscopy (X rays, and charged particles): energy resolution; detection efficiency; temporal characteristics of the signals.
5. Nuclear electronics.
6. Experimental Techniques in Radiation Physics: background radiation; techniques of coincidences-anticoincidences; shape analysis; temporal characteristics of the signals
/ time of flight.
7. Statistical analysis of data; techniques for data acquisition and data analysis.
8. Telescopes of cosmic rays, X rays and gamma radiation.
9. Requirements for building instruments to launch into space.

Head Lecturer(s)

Rui Miguel Curado da Silva

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 20.0%
Exam: 30.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 50.0%

Bibliography

High Energy Astrophysics, Vol I, M. S. Longair, Cambridge University Press, 2004.
X-ray detection astronomy, G.W. Fraser, Cambridge Astrophysics Series, Cambridge University Press, 1989.
Radiation Detection and Measurement, G. F. Knoll, John Wiley & Sons, 3rd ed., 2000.
Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physics Experiments: A How-to Approach, W. Leo, Springer-Verlag, 2nd ed..
Astrophysical Techniques, C. R. Kitchin, Taylor & Francis, 4 edition, 2003.
Óptica, E. Hecht, ed. C. Gulbenkian.
Exploring the X-ray Universe, P.A. Charles and F.D. Seward, Cambridge University Press, 1995;
Introdutory Nuclear Physics, K.S. Krane, John Wiley & Sons, 1998.