Centre for detectors, sensors and electronics (CDSE)
The CDSE is an organizational unit of the RBI that gathers main resources for development and research related to ionizing radiation detectors, sensors that use ionizing radiation and associated electronics required for processing, collecting and interpreting signals from the detectors and sensors. The CDSE brings together a valuable piece of equipment required for such work and also brings together the RBI staff with knowledge and experience that are essential for such activities. CDSE was established in 2018 as result of the activities of the Horizon 2020 ERA Chair PaRaDeSEC project - Expanding Potential in Particle and Radiation Detectors, Sensors and Electronics in Croatia.
Head
Research and development (R&D) conducted in the CDSE is related to use of detectors and sensors for different types of ionizing radiation and related electronics which is used to process signals from detectors and sensors. Those activities are based on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary applications of techniques and methods for radiation and particle detection.
Most of current activities are dedicated to the development of detectors and electronics for basic research in particle and nuclear physics, but there have also been initiatives for the interdisciplinary use of radiation detectors in medicine and safety. The main local partners with which CDSE is currently cooperating in activities and research are three RBI divisions: ZEF, ZFM and ZKM.
The production of ionizing radiation detectors is based on micro- and nano-technologies of semiconductor materials, primarily silicon, due to favourable material properties, favourable production prices and current development of production methods that are improved every day for the more demanding specific applications, both in basic research in particle and nuclear physics, as well as in various interdisciplinary applications (materials, safety, medicine, environment, etc.).
General trends in detector technologies are a further miniaturization of detectors and electronics for signal processing from detectors, raising endurance to external conditions such as huge doses of absorbed radiation, extremely high radiation flux, very high or low temperatures, extreme humidity and pressure, and raising sensitivity, efficiency, energy and position resolution of the detectors.
R&D is moving towards the use of new semiconductor materials, various silicon compounds or other materials with semiconductor properties, but also to the improvements of electronics for signal processing from detectors.
The CDSE researchers have sophisticated experience and knowledge in detector and electronics design, measurements of the characteristics and response of detectors and electronics, and their testing in real working conditions, and partly in production. Therefore, the activities in the CDSE are primarily focused on electrical, optical and thermal characterization of detectors, measurements of the detector response in different conditions and testing the operation of detectors and electronics in real operating conditions.