Abstract
We present a characterization of some processes affecting the performance of solid state array cameras designed for ground based astronomical imaging in the 8–13μm atmospheric window. Our discussion includes a novel model for electron-hole generationrecombination noise based on the probable pathlength of an electron in a photoconductor. We use the Berkeley mid-IR Array Camera as an example. For this camera, the results show that the total optical system composed of the camera, a 3m telescope, and the atmosphere has an efficiency of about 3%, a 1σ noise equivalent flux density of 25 mJy min−1/2arcsec−2 measured over a Δλ/λ=10% band width, and a noise equivalent expressed as the ambient temperature thermal black body noise of 23%.
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Keto, E., Ball, R., Arens, J. et al. Characterization of solid state array cameras for the mid-IR. Int J Infrared Milli Waves 13, 1709–1725 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01010740
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01010740