A solid understanding of the physics and technology underlying semiconductor detectors enables researchers to align experimental measurements more eAectively with the scientific questions under investigation. It further facilitates the optimization of data analysis procedures, allowing experiments to approach the intrinsic resolution limits of the measurement setup. Moreover, such knowledge empowers users to formulate well-founded proposals for improving measurement processes in both
hardware and software.

This one-day course begins with the fundamentals of semiconductor physics, followed by an overview of the interaction of ionizing radiation with semiconductor materials. Key concepts such as charge carrier generation and transport, basic device architectures, and an introduction to process and device simulation will be covered.

Depending on the application, semiconductor detectors require dedicated electronics characterized by low noise and high speed. Accordingly, noise sources and mitigation strategies will be discussed in detail. The course will also introduce application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) developments for signal amplification and data processing, concluding with an overview of state-of-the-art ASIC designs that enable complex
detector systems.

Applications of semiconductor detectors across astrophysics, materials science, life sciences, and high-energy physics will be presented, each beginning with a clear motivation and a description of the relevant experimental constraints. In astrophysics, both space-based missions – such as XMM-Newton, Chandra, eROSITA, and BepiColombo – and future projects like ATHENA and LISA will be discussed, alongside ground-based systems employing e.g. adaptive optics.

In materials and life sciences, experiments conducted in institutional laboratories, synchrotrons, and X-ray free-electron lasers rely on electrons, protons, and X-rays to probe for example, crystal structures, molecular bonds, electric and magnetic fields, mechanical stress and many more. These applications impose diverse requirements on detectors, including high dynamic range, spectroscopic imaging capabilities, ultrafast response and count rate capability.

High-energy and nuclear physics have historically driven the development of advanced detector technologies. Examples include accelerator-based experiments at CERN and KEK, as well as underground experiments such as DUNE and GERDA. There is also a strong connection to astrophysics, particularly in extending observations to the TeV energy range using ground-based Cherenkov telescopes such as MAGIC and HESS.

By providing a comprehensive overview of this broad range of applications, the course aims to stimulate new experimental ideas and support students and researchers in refining their scientific research.