High-Speed, Photon Counting CCD Cameras for Astronomy

摘要

The design of electron multiplying CCD cameras require a very differentapproach from that appropriate for slow scan CCD operation. This paperdescribes the main problems in using electron multiplying CCDs for high-speed,photon counting applications in astronomy and how these may be substantiallyovercome. With careful design it is possible to operate the E2V TechnologiesL3CCDs at rates well in excess of that claimed by the manufacturer, and thatlevels of clock induced charge dramatically lower than those experienced withcommercial cameras that need to operate at unity gain. Measurements of theperformance of the E2V Technologies CCD201 operating at 26 MHz will bepresented together with a guide to the effective reduction of clock inducedcharge levels. Examples of astronomical results obtained with our cameras arepresented.