Abstract This introductory article treats aspects of the evolution of early semiconductor detectors towards modern radiation imaging instruments, now with millions of signal processing cells, exploiting the potential of silicon nanotechnology. The Medipix and Timepix assemblies are among the prime movers in this evolution. Imaging the impacts in the detecting matrix from the individual ionizing particles and photons can be used to study these elementary quanta themselves, or allows one to visualize various characteristics of objects under irradiation. X-ray imaging is probably the most-used modality of the latter, and the new imagers can process each single incident X–photon to obtain an image with additional information about the structure and composition of the object. The atomic distribution can be imaged, taking advantage of the energy-specific X-ray absorption. A myriad of other applications is appearing, as reported in the special issue of this journal. As an example, in molecular spectroscopy, the sub-nanosecond timing in each pixel can deliver in real-time the mapping of the molecular composition of a specimen by time-of-flight for single molecules, a revolution compared with classical gel electrophoresis. References and some personal impressions are provided to illuminate radiation detection and imaging over more than 50 years. Extrapolations and wild guesses for future developments conclude the article.

中文翻译：

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单量子处理像素探测器辐射成像的历史和未来

摘要 这篇介绍性文章讨论了早期半导体探测器向现代辐射成像仪器发展的各个方面，现在拥有数百万个信号处理单元，利用了硅纳米技术的潜力。Medipix 和 Timepix 组件是这一演变的主要推动者。对来自单个电离粒子和光子的检测矩阵中的影响进行成像可用于研究这些基本量子本身，或允许人们可视化照射下物体的各种特性。X 射线成像可能是后者中最常用的方式，新的成像器可以处理每个单独的入射 X 光子，以获得包含有关物体结构和成分的附加信息的图像。原子分布可以成像，利用能量特定的 X 射线吸收。正如本期刊特刊中所报道的，还有无数其他应用程序正在出现。例如，在分子光谱学中，每个像素中的亚纳秒计时可以通过单个分子的飞行时间实时提供样本分子组成的映射，与经典凝胶电泳相比，这是一场革命。提供了参考资料和一些个人印象，以阐明 50 多年来的辐射检测和成像。对未来发展的推断和疯狂猜测结束了本文。每个像素中的亚纳秒计时可以通过单个分子的飞行时间实时提供样本的分子组成映射，与经典凝胶电泳相比，这是一场革命。提供了参考资料和一些个人印象，以阐明 50 多年来的辐射检测和成像。对未来发展的推断和疯狂猜测结束了本文。每个像素中的亚纳秒计时可以通过单个分子的飞行时间实时提供样本的分子组成映射，与经典凝胶电泳相比，这是一场革命。提供了参考资料和一些个人印象，以阐明 50 多年来的辐射检测和成像。对未来发展的推断和疯狂猜测结束了本文。