A cryogenic testbed for the characterisation of large detector arrays for astronomical and Earth-observing applications in the near to very-long-wavelength infrared

Thomas L. R. Brien; Peter A. R. Ade; Markus Haiml; Peter C. Hargrave; Holger Höhnemann; Enzo Pascale; Rashmi V. Sudiwala; Dirk Van Aken

doi:10.1117/12.2234403

29 July 2016 A cryogenic testbed for the characterisation of large detector arrays for astronomical and Earth-observing applications in the near to very-long-wavelength infrared

Thomas L. R. Brien, Peter A. R. Ade, Markus Haiml, Peter C. Hargrave, Holger Höhnemann, Enzo Pascale, Rashmi V. Sudiwala, Dirk Van Aken

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9904, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2016: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave; 99045H (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2234403
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

In this paper we describe a cryogenic testbed designed to offer complete characterisation-via a minimal number of experimental configurations— of mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detector arrays for low-photon background applications, including exoplanet science and solar system exploration. Specifically, the testbed offers a platform to measure the dark current of detector arrays at various temperatures, whilst also characterising their optical response in numerous spectral bands. The average modulation transfer function (MTF) can be found in both dimensions of the array along with the overall quantum efficiency. Working from a liquid-helium bath allows for measurement of arrays from 4.2 K and active-temperature control of the surface to which the array is mounted allows for characterisation of arrays at temperatures up to 80 K, with the temperature of the array holder known to an accuracy of at least 1 mK, with the same level of long-term stability.

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Thomas L. R. Brien, Peter A. R. Ade, Markus Haiml, Peter C. Hargrave, Holger Höhnemann, Enzo Pascale, Rashmi V. Sudiwala, and Dirk Van Aken "A cryogenic testbed for the characterisation of large detector arrays for astronomical and Earth-observing applications in the near to very-long-wavelength infrared", Proc. SPIE 9904, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2016: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave, 99045H (29 July 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2234403

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