High-speed, photon-counting CCD cameras for astronomy

Craig Mackay; Tim D. Staley; David King; Frank Suess; Keith Weller

doi:10.1117/12.855282

12 July 2010 High-speed, photon-counting CCD cameras for astronomy

Craig Mackay, Tim D. Staley, David King, Frank Suess, Keith Weller

Proceedings Volume 7742, High Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy IV; 774202 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.855282
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The design of electron multiplying CCD cameras require a very different approach from that appropriate for slow scan CCD operation. This paper describes the main problems in using electron multiplying CCDs for high-speed, photon counting applications in astronomy and how these may be substantially overcome. With careful design it is possible to operate the E2V Technologies L3CCDs at rates well in excess of that claimed by the manufacturer, and that levels of clock induced charge dramatically lower than those experienced with commercial cameras that need to operate at unity gain. Measurements of the performance of the E2V Technologies CCD201 operating at 26 MHz will be presented together with a guide to the effective reduction of clock induced charge levels. Examples of astronomical results obtained with our cameras are presented.

Citation Download Citation

Craig Mackay, Tim D. Staley, David King, Frank Suess, and Keith Weller "High-speed, photon-counting CCD cameras for astronomy", Proc. SPIE 7742, High Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy IV, 774202 (12 July 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.855282

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available