Hard X-ray and gamma-ray detectors

Space-based astronomy of hard X-rays and gamma rays covers more than seven orders of magnitude in photon energy, from 10 keV to several hundred GeV. Detecting cosmic photons in this energy range is a challenge, due to the relatively low probability of interaction of high-energy photons with matter and the high background noise generated in space detectors by environmental charged particles and radiation. However, the development of new detection technologies is constantly improving the performance of space-based X- and gamma-ray telescopes. This chapter presents the different detectors used in this field of astronomy, their configuration within space telescopes and some proposals for new instruments.
Comment: 42 pages, 12 figures. To appear as Chapter 6 of "Observing Photons in Space: A Guide to Experimental Space Astronomy", edited by Arvind Parmar, J. W. den Herder, B. Fleck, Matt Griffin, D. H. Lumb, Alan Smith and Anuschka Pauluhn, published by Springer Nature