Simple and low-cost infrared imager for the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory

Richard G. Murowinski; Dennis Derdall; Leslie K. Saddlemyer; James R. Stilburn; Robert Wooff; Linzhuang Gao; Timothy J. Davidge

doi:10.1117/12.158685

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20 October 1993 Simple and low-cost infrared imager for the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory

Richard G. Murowinski, Dennis Derdall, Leslie K. Saddlemyer, James R. Stilburn, Robert Wooff, Linzhuang Gao, Timothy J. Davidge

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Proceedings Volume 1946, Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.158685
Event: Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1993, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Infrared (IR) observations have traditionally been limited to a relatively small number of specialized telescopes since: (1) the cost of detectors and detector system development is large; and (2) there are a number of significant technical differences associated with an 'infrared-capable' telescope when compared to a traditional optical telescope. With the advent of lower cost infrared detectors in recent years, IR instrumentation now becomes accessible to observatories with budgets unable to support the traditional high costs. We have assembled a complete observing system making use of a Hughes 256 X 256 pixel PtSi 1 - 5 micron array detector. This particular PtSi detector was chosen because it has several characteristics conducive to precise photometric observations. The detector has 100% fill factor, a large dynamic range of 10⁴, low dark current and the potential for extremely good stability. The system we describe was designed with an emphasis on simplicity and the use of commercially available hardware and software, while retaining full performance of the detector. The system proved to integrate easily into the CCD observing environment used on our telescopes.

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Richard G. Murowinski, Dennis Derdall, Leslie K. Saddlemyer, James R. Stilburn, Robert Wooff, Linzhuang Gao, and Timothy J. Davidge "Simple and low-cost infrared imager for the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory", Proc. SPIE 1946, Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation, (20 October 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.158685

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