CCD detector for multiple object spectroscopy at the United Kingdom Schmidt Telescope

Anthony Patrick Oates

doi:10.1117/12.19092

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1 July 1990 CCD detector for multiple object spectroscopy at the United Kingdom Schmidt Telescope

Anthony Patrick Oates

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Proceedings Volume 1235, Instrumentation in Astronomy VII; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19092
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation for the 21st Century, 1990, Tucson, AZ, United States

Abstract

The standard CCD used in the camera installed at the Schmidt Telescope has a poor short wavelength response and so all the CCDs are surface coated with a fluorescent dye to partially overcome this problem. In 1988 it was decided that the system's response around 4000 A could be improved further by replacing the FLAIR (fiber linked array image reformatter) fibers with a set of fibers offering superior transmission properties at this wavelength. The introduction of these larger core diameter fibers would have meant, however, accepting a reduction in signal-to-noise as the fibers illuminate more pixels on the CCD. The CCD sequencing was therefore modified to permit pixel binning across the dispersion direction. Recent modifications also provide a detection capability for approximately twice the number of objects, by appending a second CCD detector and correlated double sample processor to the existing sequencer. Both CCDs are operated via a signal controller which can route clocks and video between the detectors and sequencing electronics. Reduction of galaxy data show that FLAIR, combined with a low noise detector, in both single and dual CCD mode, is easily capable of obtaining cross-correlation redshifts in the blue with a high success rate.

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Anthony Patrick Oates "CCD detector for multiple object spectroscopy at the United Kingdom Schmidt Telescope", Proc. SPIE 1235, Instrumentation in Astronomy VII, (1 July 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19092

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