Flight photon counting EMCCDs for the WFIRST coronagraph (Conference Presentation)

Patrick Morrissey

doi:10.1117/12.2529758

9 September 2019 Flight photon counting EMCCDs for the WFIRST coronagraph (Conference Presentation)

Patrick Morrissey

Proceedings Volume 11117, Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets IX; 111170J (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2529758
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2019, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A photon counting camera based on a modified Teledyne-e2v CCD201-20 electron multiplying CCD (EMCCD) is being developed for the NASA WFIRST coronagraph, an exoplanet imaging technology development of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena, CA). The coronagraph is designed to demonstrate technologies required to directly image planets around nearby stars, and to characterize their spectra. The planets are exceedingly faint, providing signals similar to the detector dark current, and require the use of photon counting detectors. Red sensitivity (600-980nm) is preferred to capture spectral features of interest. EMCCDs are baselined both as science and wavefront sensors in the coronagraph in order to simplify the system architecture. We are engaged in a technology development program with Teledyne-e2v to ruggedize the sensors for use in space. The modified detectors minimize the required number of charge transfers and the exposure of signal charge to trap defects in order to extend their lifetime in space. In this paper we will summarize our progress, program status, and plans for flight development.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Patrick Morrissey "Flight photon counting EMCCDs for the WFIRST coronagraph (Conference Presentation)", Proc. SPIE 11117, Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets IX, 111170J (9 September 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2529758

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