Research and development of novel detection techniques for microsatellites

This thesis presents the research and development of novel detection techniques for gamma-ray astrophysics on board small satellite platforms, with particular focus on the Crystal Eye experiment and its pathfinder mission WINK. The scientific motivation arises from the need to improve observational capabilities in the poorly explored MeV energy band, a critical region for the study of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) and multi-messenger astrophysics. The work includes the design, simulation, and performance evaluation of the Crystal Eye detector, a compact all-sky monitor optimized for Low Earth Orbit. Its innovative hemispherical architecture, based on scintillating crystals (LYSO and GAGG) read out by Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs), enables wide field-of-view observations combined with enhanced source localization capabilities. Detailed Monte Carlo simulations were performed to evaluate effective area, background rejection, trigger logic efficiency, and transient sensitivity. The thesis also reports on the development and characterization of the WINK prototype and on beam-test campaigns of the Zirettino detector, validating the performance of key subsystems such as the calorimeter, plastic scintillator tower, and anticoincidence system. Particular attention is devoted to detector calibration, intrinsic background studies, and signal reconstruction techniques. The results demonstrate the feasibility of high-sensitivity MeV observations with compact, low-power payloads, highlighting the potential of small satellite missions to bridge the MeV gap and contribute significantly to the next generation of multi-messenger space observatories.