Cryogenic particle detectors operate at very low temperature, typically only a few degrees above
absolute zero. These
sensors interact with an energetic
elementary particle (such as a
photon) and deliver a signal which can be related to the type of particle and the nature of the interaction. While many types of particle detectors might be operated with improved performance at
cryogenic temperatures, this term generally refers to types which take advantage of special effects or properties occurring only at low temperature.