ABSTRACT
High-energy physics (also known as “particle physics” in reference to elementary nuclear particles) employs electronic devices, circuits, and systems on a scale much larger than any other area of scientific research. This electronics is used for readout of nuclear particle detectors. The detection of nuclear particles in majority of experiments is based on particle interactions with matter primarily by two mechanisms: (1) scintillation by excitation of atoms and (2) ionization of atoms in the gas, liquid, or solid detector medium. The immediate products of the interaction are observed either directly by measuring the induced current (charge) on the detector electrodes, or on the electrode(s) of a photo-detector exposed to the scintillation light. The energy lost by the interacting particle in the detection medium becomes eventually converted into phonons. The temperature rise due to the heat can be measured and that leads to the third class, bolometric detectors.
