Detector Science and Technology's Rising Star Research Highlights 2026

This research topic showcases the newest advances and original studies in the field of detector science and technology, obtained within PhD theses research. By providing early-career researchers a forum to present and discuss the relevant aspects of their PhD work, this collection aims to highlight important discoveries and innovative approaches able to influence a broad scene of research and potential applications, from all aspects of research in physics to applications at large.

The primary objective is to offer the opportunity to disseminate, within the broadest scientific community, comprehensive summaries of PhD research offering clear and concise synthesis of the key results on detectors, methodologies, and implications of their work. This collection will serve as a resource for researchers, engineers, and practitioners interested in the latest trends and future prospects of detector science evolution.

We welcome contributions from recent PhD graduates (up to three years after graduation) and those nearing the completion of their doctoral studies, in the form of Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews or Mini Reviews.

By contributing to this research topic authors will have the opportunity to present their work to a wide audience, gain recognition for their innovations, and foster collaborations.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: single-photon-counting, spectral CT, positron emission tomography, SPECT, radiation detectors, medical imaging ASICs, Compton camera, Monte Carlo simulation, hadron therapy, image reconstruction AI, Detector science, Detector technology, Early career

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.