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At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

Charge coupled devices for intensified imager applications

Three types of CCD sensors have been successfully incorporated into ICCD (intensified CCD) tubes. Intensifier tubes of varying design and application have been manufactured by three different manufacturers. Typical characteristics of the thinned CCDs incorporated into these ICCD's will be presented. Problems concerning the compatibility of tube processing and CCD performance will be discussed, as well as the procedures used to minimize CCD degradation during tube processing. ICCD tube characteristics will also be presented.

Stubbs, D. P.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Time-delay-and-integration charge coupled devices /CCDs/ applied to the Thematic Mapper

The visible focal plane of the Thematic Mapper, the next generation sensor system for application to earth resource survey, uses complex hybrid assembly techniques to interface silicon photodiodes to JFET preamplifiers. This complexity can be ameliorated by the use of a 20-channel time-delay-and-integration (TDI) CCD with nine stages of integration per channel. By going to a CCD array operating in a TDI mode, over 700 individual op amps can be replaced with only 48 op amps. Smooth spectral response and 70% quantum efficiency have been provided by using doped tin oxide gates over the imaging region.

Thompson, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A dual charge-coupled device /CCD/, astronomical spectrometer and direct imaging camera. I - Optical and detector systems

The MASCOT (MIT Astronomical Spectrometer/Camera for Optical Telescopes), an instrument capable of simultaneously performing both direct imaging and spectrometry of faint objects, is examined. An optical layout is given of the instrument which uses two CCD's mounted on the same temperature regulated detector block. Two sources of noise on the signal are discussed: (1) the CCD readout noise, which results in a constant uncertainty in the number of electrons collected from each pixel; and (2) the photon counting noise. The sensitivity of the device is limited by the sky brightness, the overall quantum efficiency, the resolution, and the readout noise of the CCD. Therefore, total system efficiency is calculated at about 15%.

Meyer, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Dual charge-coupled device /CCD/, astronomical spectrometer and direct imaging camera. II - Data handling and control systems

The data collection system for the MASCOT (MIT Astronomical Spectrometer/Camera for Optical Telescopes) is described. The system relies on an RCA 1802 microprocessor-based controller, which serves to collect and format data, to present data to a scan converter, and to operate a device communication bus. A NOVA minicomputer is used to record and recall frame images and to perform refined image processing. The RCA 1802 also provides instrument mode control for the MASCOT. Commands are issued using STOIC, a FORTH-like language. Sufficient flexibility has been provided so that a variety of CCDs can be accommodated.

Dewey, D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Care, feeding, and use of charge-coupled device /CCD/ imagers at Palomar observatory

The paper describes the optical, mechanical, and electronic properties of the TI and RCA CCDs which have been applied to two-dimensional photometry and spectroscopy at Palomar. The drive, processing, and recording techniques are also discussed, and consideration is given to a focal conversion optical system, the Prime Focus Universal Extragalactic Instrument (PFUEI), which is used to more optimally match the Hale 5 meter plate scale. Calibration and data analysis are also examined.

Gunn, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Soft X-ray and XUV imaging with a charge-coupled device /CCD/-based detector

A soft X-ray/XUV imaging camera which uses a thinned, back-illuminated, all-buried channel RCA CCD for radiation sensing has been built and tested. The camera is a slow-scan device which makes possible frame integration if necessary. The detection characteristics of the device have been tested over the 15-1500 eV range. The response was linear with exposure up to 0.2-0.4 erg/sq cm; saturation occurred at greater exposures. Attention is given to attempts to resolve single photons with energies of 1.5 keV.

Loter, N. G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Evaluation of RCA thinned buried channel charge-coupled devices /CCDs/ for scientific applications

An experimental version of a thinned illuminated buried-channel 512 x 320 pixel CCD with reduced amplifier input capacitance has been produced which is characterized by lower readout noise. Changes made to the amplifier are discussed, and readout noise measurements obtained by several different techniques are presented. The single energetic electron response of the CCD in the electron-bombarded mode and the single 5.9 keV X-ray pulse height distribution are reported. Results are also given on the dark current versus temperature and the spatial frequency response as a function of signal level.

Zucchino, P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Optical studies of X-ray sources with the MASCOT - A charge-coupled device /CCD/-based astronomical instrument

The performance levels achieved by the MASCOT (MIT Astronomical Spectrometer/Camera for Optical Telescopes) on the 1.3-m telescope at the McGraw-Hill observatory in March 1981 are discussed along with preliminary data obtained in searches for optical counterparts to four 'empty-field' X-ray sources. In the W band (4000-7000 A), the MASCOT achieved a sky-limited sensitivity of +24.4 mag per sq arcsec in an 1800 s integration. The ability to flatten pictures to a level consistent with (sky + source) photon statistics and readout noise was demonstrated. For the four sources observed, an optical counterpart was established for one source (1413+13) based on positional coincidence (better than 1.8 arcsec), four possible candidates were detected in the error box of another source (1009?35) and upper sensitivity limits were established for optical counterparts in the error boxes for the other two sources (0920+39 and 0931-11).

Ricker, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Echelle spectroscopy with a charge-coupled device /CCD/

The recent availability of large format CCD's with high quantum efficiency makes it possible to achieve significant advances in high dispersion astronomical spectroscopy. An echelle CCD combination excels or equals other techniques presently available, and offers the advantage of complete spectral coverage of several thousand Angstroms in a single exposure. Attention is given to experiments which were conducted with a CCD camera head and an echelle spectrograph on a 4-meter telescope. It was found possible to achieve a signal-to-noise ratio of 150/1 on a 13th magnitude star at 6000 A in a two-hour exposure at 0.16 A/pixel, limited primarily by photon statistics. For fainter objects, readout noise is the limiting factor in precision. For 20 electron rms readout noise, an S/N = 15/1 at 18th magnitude is expected, all other things being equal.

York, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Electron bombardment charge-coupled device /CCD/ detectors for the vacuum ultraviolet

Development work is underway at Princeton and NRL on electronic-readout imaging detectors for the VUV which are based on electron-bombardment CCD arrays and opaque alkali-halide photocathodes. These detectors provide single-photoelectron detection capability and wide dynamic range combined with almost the maximum possible quantum efficiency (in excess of 50% in the wavelength range below 1300 A). The Princeton work is based on an oblique-focusing electron optical configuration, while the NRL program is based on a Schmidt optical system with opaque photocathode. Results of preliminary tests at Princeton and overall system concepts for the Princeton and NRL cameras are discussed, and applications to possible space astronomy studies are examined.

Lowrance, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Progress in 800 x 800 charge-coupled device /CCD/ imager development and applications

Performance parameters of the 800 x 800 three phase and virtual phase CCD imaging sensors for the planned Project Galileo and Space Telescope Wide Field/Planetary Camera are compared, and the significance of some of the parameters for device radiation performance is discussed. The problems encountered by the three phase device that resulted in its being considered not suitable for the Galileo mission are described, and the radiation hardening performed on the virtual phase device to permit it to cope with Jupiter's radiation belts is addressed. Major research tasks in the effort to advance the technology of large area virtual phase imagers are stated.

Norris, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Software simulations of the detection of rapidly moving asteroids by a charge-coupled device

A rendezvous of an unmanned probe to an earth-approaching asteroid has been given a high priority in the planning of interplanetary missions for the 1990s. Even without a space mission, much could be learned about the history of asteroids and comet nuclei if more information were available concerning asteroids with orbits which cross or approach the orbit of earth. It is estimated that the total number of earth-crossers accessible to ground-based survey telescopes should be approximately 1000. However, in connection with the small size and rapid angular motion expected of many of these objects an average of only one object is discovered per year. Attention is given to the development of the software necessary to distinguish such rapidly moving asteroids from stars and noise in continuously scanned CCD exposures of the night sky. Model and input parameters are considered along with detector sensitivity, aspects of minimum detectable displacement, and the point-spread function of the CCD.

Mcmillan, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Texas Instruments' virtual phase charge-coupled device (CCD) imager operated in the frontside electron-bombarded mode

The present investigation is concerned with the suitability of the virtual phase CCD imager for frontside detection of electrons up to 25 keV. The investigation has the objective to determine if the imager can be used in the frontside mode with a photocathode to detect very low light levels in astronomical applications, the ultimate goal being individual photon detection. It is found that the standard virtual phase imager will function properly over an extended period at low levels of 20 kV electron irradiation consistent with photon counting applications. The imager can detect individual primary electrons with nearly 100 percent efficiency. However, further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms for the flat band shifts so that the imager design may be modified to eliminate or at least reduce them.

Everett, P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Charge-coupled device (CCD) television camera for NASA's Galileo mission to Jupiter

The CCD detector under construction for use in the slow-scan television camera for the NASA Galileo Jupiter orbiter to be launched in 1985 is presented. The science objectives and the design constraints imposed by the earth telemetry link, platform residual motion, and the Jovian radiation environment are discussed. Camera optics are inherited from Voyager; filter wavelengths are chosen to enable discrimination of Galilean-satellite surface chemical composition. The CCO design, an 800 by 800-element 'virtual-phase' solid-state silicon image-sensor array with supporting electronics, is described with detailed discussion of the thermally generated dark current, quantum efficiency, signal-to-noise ratio, and resolution. Tests of the effect of ionizing radiation were performed and are analyzed statistically. An imaging mode using a 2-1/3-sec frame time and on-chip summation of the signal in 2 x 2 blocks of adjacent pixels is designed to limit the effects of the most extreme Jovian radiation. Smearing due to spacecraft/target relative velocity and platform instability will be corrected for via an algorithm maximizing spacial resolution at a given signal-to-noise level. The camera is expected to produce 40,000 images of Jupiter and its satellites during the 20-month mission.

Klaasen, K. P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Synthetic aperture radar imaging using acousto-optics and charge-coupled devices

The operating principles of an acoustooptic/CCD real-time SAR processor are described, and experimental results are presented. Particular consideration is given to time-and-space integrating processing, the range processor, and the azimuth processor. The interferometric detection scheme is examined in detail.

Psaltis, D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Charge coupled device (CCD) spectroscopy of comets - Tuttle, Stephan-Oterma, Brooks 2, and Bowell

CCD technology allows the acquisition of high quality spectra from faint comets that provide simultaneous spatial and spectral resolution. Most emissions in the spectra thus obtained are due to CN and NH2. The most interesting results for the continuum were displayed at comet Bowell, whose coma is a factor of 10 more extended than the other comets studied. Calculated production rates are presented for NH2 and CN in the cases of the comet Tuttle and Stephan-Oterma, and first-order comparisons are conducted for measured production rates and those of the H2O molecule, which should be the dominant one in comet activity.

Johnson, J. R.↗