This revised second edition of a popular handbook for engineers describes the important relationship between high-energy radiation environments, electronic device physics and materials. It is a straightforward account of the problems which arise when high-energy radiation bombards matter and of engineering methods for solving those problems. Radiation effects are a problem encountered in the use of highly engineered materials such as semiconductors, optics and polymers. The finely-tuned properties of these materials may change drastically when exposed to a radiation environment such as a beam of X-rays or electrons, the space environment or the 'hadrons' in CERN's new collider. All of these environments and several more are described. At the core of this book is a discussion of the impact of these environments on the devices used in computing, data processing and communication. While unashamedly oriented to the engineer-designer and manager, with descriptions in a highly readable form, there is no compromise in physical accuracy when describing high-energy radiation and the effects it produces, such as electronic failure, coloration and the decay of strength. A great breadth of technical data, such as may be needed to make quick decisions, is presented with literature references and a compendium of web-sites which have been tested and used by the authors.

This revised second edition of a popular handbook for engineers fills a gap in the fields of high-energy radiation environments, electronic device physics and materials. It is a straightforward account of the problems which arise when high-energy radiation bombards matter and of engineering methods for solving those problems. X-ray, electron and the'hadron's' in CERN's new collider environments and several more are described. The impact of these environments on microelectronics in computing, data processing and communication is the core of this book. A large amount of technical data, needed to make predictions on the spot, is presented, with literature references needed for further research and also a compendium of websites which have been tested and used by the authors.

Holmes-Siedle and Adams' engrossing handbook is probably the most readable, ambitious and intelligent work on radiation effects yet published, that also stands out as a comprehensive guide to the literature, both printed and on-line. At the same time, it is technically accurate but accessible to practitioners as well as researchers ... a most commendable book.