Detection of ionizing radiations

The interactions of ionizing radiations with matter are briefly reviewed with special reference to the use of these interactions for the detection of the radiations. The aspects of these interactions which are made use of in the different types of detectors or detection systems are highlighted and the point is made that all such detection systems rely primarily on the loss of energy by fast-moving charged particles in dielectric materials. The special problems associated with the detection of heavy charged particles are noted, especially those which lead to the deterioration of the energy or of the time resolution. The characteristics of current detectors and detection systems are then reviewed under the headings of those which store information concerning the passage of the radiation and of those which give prompt information on the passage of the radiation. For the prompt systems, the methods for obtaining accurate position information are reviewed and their timing properties mentioned. The second-order effects in these detection systems which lead to the identification of the charged particles are briefly discussed. References are given to recent research publications and review articles on these detection systems. (author)