Comparison of Charge Transfer Device and Photomultiplier Tube Performance for Extremely Low Photon Fluxes
Abstract
New solid state silicon arrays which outperform photon counting photomultiplier tubes under extreme low light fluxes are described. The results of the evaluation of the spectroscopically pertinent characteristics of several charges transfer device (CTD) detectors are presented. The characteristics of these multichannel detectors include peak quantum efficiencies exceeding 80%, read noises of approximately ten charge carriers and virtually no dark current. The potential for these non-intensified silicon devices to outperform PMTs in many low light level situations is demonstrated. The signal-to-noise ratios for several CTD detectors are contrasted to the signal-to-noise ratio performance of the best photon counting PMTs for a variety of low flux situations. Two approaches to creating a single element detector with the same optical format and larger dynamic range than common photon PMTs are described. The results of the evaluation of a prototype large single element charge injection device are presented. Combining a 1,000,000 simple dynamic range with the ability to vary integration times over four orders of magnitude allows this detector to quantity photon fluxes ranging over ten orders of magnitude. The other approach to using CTDs as a direct replacement for PMTs involves a process called binning employed with charge coupled devices. This technique combines photogenerated charge from several detector elements forming an effectively larger detector which can be read in a single low noise read. The superior performance of several charge- coupled device detectors operated in a highly binned mode as compared to other low light detectors is demonstrated.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 04, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA198594
Entities
People
- Jonathan V. Sweedler
- M. Bonner Denton
Organizations
- University of Arizona