8. Space Telescopes and Radiation Detectors

In the first part of the module, the students acquire fundamentals on radiation detectors for astrophysics. Basic concepts on radiation-matter interactions will be surveyed together with the different active materials and operating principles required for the detection of electromagnetic radiation spanning from far infrared to gamma-rays and particles.

In the second part of the module, the students are introduced to the main properties of the space telescopes, with particular focus on the Infrared Space Telescopes by ESA and NASA and their technological evolution with time. They will learn how the astrophysical observations depend on the main telescope components through examples and comparisons of improved instrument performances.

The main topics covered by the module are:

• Radiation Detectors for Astrophysics: materials, system architectures, relevant figures of merit
• Examples of detectors applied to Space Missions
• Infrared Space Telescopes, properties and design 
• Astrophysical observables and their dependence on the telescope components