Southwest Research Institute intensified detector development capability

Erik Wilkinson; Michael Vincent; Christopher Kofoed; John Andrews; Judith Brownsberger; Oswald Siegmund

doi:10.1117/12.927133

25 September 2012 Southwest Research Institute intensified detector development capability

Erik Wilkinson, Michael Vincent, Christopher Kofoed, John Andrews, Judith Brownsberger, Oswald Siegmund

Proceedings Volume 8443, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray; 84432K (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.927133
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2012, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Imaging detectors for wavelengths between 10 nm and 105 nm generally rely on microchannel plates (MCPs) to provide photon detection (via the photo-electric effect) and charge amplification. This is because silicon-based detectors (CCD or APS) have near zero quantum detection efficiency (QDE) over this wavelength regime. Combining a MCP based intensifier tube with a silicon detector creates a detector system that can be tuned to the wavelength regime of interest for a variety of applications. Intensified detectors are used in a variety of scientific (e.g. Solar Physics) and commercial applications (spectroscopic test instrumentation, night vision goggles, low intensity cameras, etc.). Building an intensified detector requires the mastery of a variety of technologies involved in integrating and testing of these detector systems.

We report on an internally funded development program within the Southwest Research Institute to architect, design, integrate, and test intensified imaging detectors for space-based applications. Through a rigorous hardware program the effort is developing and maturing the technologies necessary to build and test a large format (2k × 2k) UV intensified CCD detector. The intensified CCD is designed around a commercially available CCD that is optically coupled to a UV Intensifier Tube from Sensor Sciences, LLC. The program aims to demonstrate, through hardware validation, the ability to architect and execute the integration steps necessary to produce detector systems suitable for space-based applications.

Citation Download Citation

Erik Wilkinson, Michael Vincent, Christopher Kofoed, John Andrews, Judith Brownsberger, and Oswald Siegmund "Southwest Research Institute intensified detector development capability", Proc. SPIE 8443, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, 84432K (25 September 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.927133

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