Second Generation IR Detectors for the Wide Field Camera 3

摘要

High - energy particles that induce a glow on the ZnCdTe substrate of the HgCdTe detectors of WFC3 may increase the background noise and reduce the scientific performance of the instrument. To eliminate this problem, a second generation of infrared detectors with substrate removed is under construction. Early tests indicate that the glow problem is eliminated and the quantum efficiency increases dramatically at shorter wavelengths, potentially providing a substantial improvement in the limiting sensitivity of the instrument.