LIMITATIONS IN DETECTION OF CELESTIAL BODIES EMPLOYING ELECTRONICALLY SCANNED PHOTOCONDUCTIVE IMAGE DETECTORS

Abstract

Theoretical limitations in the detection of celestial bodies by means of photoconductive sensors are investigated. Applicable simplified basic equations are derived for the maximum apparent magnitude number of a celestial body that is detectable with the commercially available vidicon tube, (a) assuming the most optimistic conditions and (b) as determined by background radiation during the day and the night, load resistor noise and other practical limitations. The equations are extended to cover the possible gain in sensitivity obtainable by using preamplification with additional image converter type tubes, and by integration over several scanning fields. The schematics of an easily constructed very sensitive experimental vidicon system used for the investigation are appended.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1961
Accession Number
AD0276417

Entities

People

  • Radames K. Gebel

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Amplifiers
  • Background Radiation
  • Candles
  • Celestial Brightness
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Electron Emission
  • Electrons
  • Elements
  • Emission
  • Energy Bands
  • Focal Planes
  • Frequency
  • Government Procurement
  • Light Sources
  • Quantum Efficiency

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Software Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics