Development of a photon-counting capability for the electron-bombarded far-UV image sensor

Edward B. Jenkins; Michael A. Reale; Paul M. Zucchino

doi:10.1117/12.371086

25 November 1999 Development of a photon-counting capability for the electron-bombarded far-UV image sensor

Edward B. Jenkins, Michael A. Reale, Paul M. Zucchino

Proceedings Volume 3764, Ultraviolet and X-Ray Detection, Spectroscopy, and Polarimetry III; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.371086
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1999, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

We have developed a video signal processing system to detect and store photoevents recorded by a magnetically focused, electron-bombarded CCD (EBCCD) image sensor of the type that flew on the Interstellar Medium Absorption Profile Spectrograph (IMAPS). The EBCCD represents a good alternative to detectors that use microchannel plates: the opaque photocathode is on a solid substrate which leads to a very uniform response with a high quantum efficiency. Our experience with sounding rocket missions has demonstrated that this image sensor can perform well in poor vacuum conditions. Previous uses of the EBCCD on IMAPS missions have worked with video signals that were accumulated in an analog fashion. To make the EBCCD more useful for viewing very faint images in the future, we have recently developed new circuitry to detect photoevents in real time and store them discretely. This photon-counting signal processing mode overcomes the CCD readout noise penalty that accumulates when many successive analog frames are added together. The new circuits also provide for an automatic, accurate subtraction of the CCD dark current pattern.

Citation Download Citation

Edward B. Jenkins, Michael A. Reale, and Paul M. Zucchino "Development of a photon-counting capability for the electron-bombarded far-UV image sensor", Proc. SPIE 3764, Ultraviolet and X-Ray Detection, Spectroscopy, and Polarimetry III, (25 November 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.371086

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

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
8 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Charge-coupled devices

Sensors

Analog electronics

Logic

Interference (communication)

Image sensors

Photon counting

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years