Handbook of Ccd Astronomy

Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs) are the state-of-the-art detector in many areas of observational science. Astronomy, physics, chemistry, medical imaging, and remote sensing are just a few of the fields of study in which they play a crucial role. This handbook provides a concise and accessible reference on all practical aspects of using CCDs. Starting with the electronic workings of CCDs, this handbook discusses their basic characteristics and then gives methods and examples of how to determine these values. While the focus of the book is on the use of CCDs in professional observational astronomy, advanced amateur astronomers, and researchers in physics, chemistry, medical imaging, and remote sensing will also find it very valuable. Tables of useful and hard-to-find data, and key practical equations round off the book and ensure that it provides an ideal introduction to the practical use of CCDs for graduate students, and a handy reference for more experienced users.

Preface

ix

Introduction

1

(6)

Nomenclature

2

(1)

Why Use CCDs?

2

(5)

CCD Manufacturing and Operation

7

(19)

CCD Operation

8

(4)

CCD Types

12

(9)

CCD Coatings

21

(1)

Analog-to-Digital Converters

22

(4)

Characterization of Charge-Coupled Devices

26

(21)

Quantum Efficiency

26

(4)

Readout Noise

30

(2)

Dark Current

32

(3)

CCD Pixel Size, Pixel Binning, Full Well Capacity, and Windowing

35

(2)

Overscan and Bias

37

(2)

CCD Gain and Dynamic Range

39

(7)

Summary

46

(1)

CCD Imaging

47

(28)

Image or Plate Scale

47

(1)

Flat Fielding

48

(4)

Calculation of Read Noise and Gain

52

(1)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

53

(5)

Basic CCD Data Reduction

58

(3)

CCD Imaging

61

(14)

Photometry and Astrometry

75

(25)

Stellar Photometry from Digital Images

77

(8)

Two-Dimensional Profile Fitting

85

(3)

Aperture Photometry

88

(3)

Absolute versus Differential Photometry

91

(3)

Astrometry

94

(2)

Pixel Sampling

96

(4)

Spectroscopy with CCDs

100

(28)

Review of Spectrographs

102

(2)

CCD Spectrographs

104

(5)

CCD Spectroscopy

109

(4)

Signal-to-Noise Calculations for Spectroscopy

113

(1)

Data Reduction for CCD Spectroscopy

114

(4)

Extended Object Spectroscopy

118

(3)

Slitless Spectroscopy

121

(7)

CCDs Used in Space and at Short Wavelengths

128

(15)

CCDs in Space

130

(6)

Radiation Damage in CCDs

136

(2)

CCDs in the UV and EUV (300-3,000 A) Spectral Range

138

(2)

CCDs in the X-Ray (<500 A) Spectral Range

140

(3)

Appendix A CCD Reading List

143

(3)

Appendix B CCD Manufacturers and CCD Website Information

146

(4)

Appendix C Some Basics of Image Displays

150

(5)

References

155

(6)

Index

161

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