Astronomical imaging with L3CCDs: detector performance and high-speed controller design

Craig Mackay; Alistair Basden; Mick Bridgeland

doi:10.1117/12.550448

29 September 2004 Astronomical imaging with L3CCDs: detector performance and high-speed controller design

Craig Mackay, Alistair Basden, Mick Bridgeland

Proceedings Volume 5499, Optical and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.550448
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2004, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Abstract

L3CCDs represent a major step in CCD performance with great potential for astronomical applications because of their ability to work at very high pixel rates with negligible readout noise. This paper describes the results of tests on some of the L3CCDs now available and discusses how the operating conditions may be optimised for a variety of different applications. In particular, at high gain they can be used for photon counting work at photon rates well in excess of one photon per pixel per second. Readout rates which can be as high as 35MHz are entirely practical for a number of astronomical applications. This paper describes some of the compromises and trade-offs that have to be made in designing high-speed controllers to work effectively with these devices. The importance of integrating high-speed controllers for astronomy with significant amount of real-time processing power is also discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Craig Mackay, Alistair Basden, and Mick Bridgeland "Astronomical imaging with L3CCDs: detector performance and high-speed controller design", Proc. SPIE 5499, Optical and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy, (29 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.550448

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