Detector Physics

Education facts

Code: FK7056

All physical measurements require a detector and all experimental physicists need a working knowledge of detector physics.The course will give an introduction to radiation and particle detectors and their use in Experimental Physics and in different application areas. The course covers basic physical processes for the detection of radiation and particles, photo-electic effect, Compton scattering, pair production, excitation, ionization, bremsstrahlung, Cherenkov radiation, nuclear reactions and secondary emission. The principle and characteristics of the following detector types: • charged particle detectors • charge-coupled devices (CCD) • light sensors • gas detectors • scintillation detectors • semiconductor detectors • bolometric detectors. • Detection systems in molecular, atomic, nuclear and particle physics, quantum optics as well as in medicine, accelerator physics and other fields. Signal processing, measurement methodology and performance metrics. Practical exercises provide familiarity with in-depth knowledge of different types of detectors.

Entry requirements

Admission to the course requires knowledge equivalent to passed courses (excluding introductory courses) of 45 credits in mathematics and 60 credits in physics, where the courses Experimental Physics, 7.5 credits (FK5021), Quantum Mechanics, 7.5 credits (FK5020) and Atomic and Molecular Physics, 7.5 credits (FK5023) or Quantum Phenomenology and Radiation Physics, 7.5 credits (FK5015) should be included, or corresponding knowledge acquired from other courses. Additionally, requires knowledge equivalent to upper secondary school English B/English 6.

Education offerings

Each offering has its own dates and conditions. Closed offerings are retained as history and do not mean that a new application is open.

• Detector Physics

  Stockholm University

  Start date: 31 August 2026

  End date: 2 November 2026

  Pace of study: 50 %