Microchannel Intensified Electrography

Harry M. Heckathorn; George R. Carruthers

doi:10.1117/12.933483

16 November 1982 Microchannel Intensified Electrography

Harry M. Heckathorn, George R. Carruthers

Proceedings Volume 0331, Instrumentation in Astronomy IV; (1982) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.933483
Event: 1982 Astronomy Conferences, 1982, Tucson, United States

Abstract

Electrography is, in many respects, a nearly ideal electronic imaging technique. However, at very low light levels, although individual photoelectron events are in principle detectable in the film images, limitations are imposed by microphotometer and emulsion grain noise. The use of microchannel intensification allows individual photoelectron events to be unambiguously detectable and measurable, with little loss in achievable resolution. This significantly enhances the capabilities of electrographic detectors for use in imagery and spectrography of faint, diffuse objects or in applications which require a fast time response. We have conducted a quantitative study of the gains in detectivity and signal-to-noise ratio provided by this technique, through microphotometry and computer analysis of images of identical or similar laboratory light sources, using both unintensified and microchannel-intensified electrographic Schmidt cameras. We describe applications of the technique to far-ultraviolet wide-field-imaging and nebular spectrograph experiments, both of which have been used in sounding rocket flights and are planned for near-future Shuttle missions.

Citation Download Citation

Harry M. Heckathorn and George R. Carruthers "Microchannel Intensified Electrography", Proc. SPIE 0331, Instrumentation in Astronomy IV, (16 November 1982); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.933483

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