Description
The semiconductor pixel detectors Timepix provide noiseless radiation imaging capability, per-pixel spectral sensitivity, photon-counting response and particle-type resolving power for detailed dosimetry and composition and spectral characterization of complex radiation fields. High-resolution radiation spectrometry and wide field-of-view particle tracking on single particle tracks provide detailed information on the particle type, position and direction, energy loss and linear-energy-transfer. The Timepix3 ASIC chip features two per-pixel signal suitable for fast timing (ns level) and spectral (or counting) continuous measurements including trigger-in operation. The hybrid architecture enables to use different sensor materials (Si, CdTe, GaAs, SiC) and sensor thickness (from 65 µm to 2000 µm) to optimize and enhance the detection response to additional radiation components (low-energy gamma rays, neutrons – fast and thermal) registered with limited detection efficiency. Charged particles, both light (electrons, muons) and heavy (protons, ions) including minimum-ionizing-particles (MIPs), reaching the detector sensor are registered with 100% quantum efficiency. These capabilities are exploited for advanced radiation detection techniques in particle radiotherapy research with proton and light ion beams and outer space onboard satellites in LEO orbit. An overview will be given with principles and extensive results.
