CCD Camera Project
Background: Caltech SEDS has a
CCD-camera setup with a super high-quality CCD chip that was going to
be used for the Cassini
Mission, thanks to a former JPL employee Dr. Charles Werner and
a current JPL employee Andy Berkun. Also check out the SEDS site for CCD.
Goal: To construct a CCD-camera setup for taking high-quality
astronomical images, primarily using the Robinson Observatory.
Meeting summary:
2000/2 - Andy's summary of what we need to do.
2000/9/2 - Examined existing setup, scope of CCD use, objectives, constraints, requirements.
2000/9/6 - Camera modes (planetary/extragalactic), shutter, cooling system, electronics
2000/9/10 - Phil got a shutter and a Palomar thermoelectric cooler!
2000/9/17 - Input from Rob Simcoe (Ay) and Fred Harris (Naval Observatory); decided on thermoelectric cooling.
2000/10/1 - Introduced new people
2000/10/8 - First steps for themoelectric cooler, camera head, electronics.
2000/10/15 - Diagram of setup.
2000/11/5 - Roadmap, cooler testing, electronics files.
2000/11/12 - Tested thermister, disected camera head and saddle back electronics
2001/1/28 - disected saddle back electronics
2001/2/4 - cryogenics
2001/3/4 - cryogenics, electronics
Areas to work on:
Weight limit: ~1.5 kg
Dark current: 6.3*10-4 e-/s per pixel at -90C, non-MPP (multi-phase pin)
Quantum efficiency:
300-450 nm 14%
650-700 nm 40%
800 nm 28%
900 nm 14%
CCD: Thermal Requirements and Control Systems
CCD Cookbook
Lockheed Martin Fairchild Systems
Some CCD web sites
Current active team members