Output Electrodes

Output electrodes are critical components in position-sensitive detectors (PSDs) that serve as electrical interfaces between the detector's sensing element and external readout electronics. These electrodes are strategically patterned on the detector surface to collect charge carriers (electrons or holes) generated by incident radiation or particles. Their design determines spatial resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and linearity of position measurement. In semiconductor-based PSDs, output electrodes are typically fabricated using photolithography to create precise conductive patterns that enable centroid calculation of charge distribution for accurate position determination.

Output electrodes operate by collecting charge carriers generated when radiation interacts with the detector's active material. When particles or photons strike the detector, they create electron-hole pairs in the semiconductor material. The applied electric field drives these carriers toward the electrodes. The position of the interaction is determined by comparing the relative amounts of charge collected at different electrode terminals using resistive charge division or capacitive coupling methods. The electrodes convert the spatial distribution of charge into electrical signals proportional to the event's position coordinates.