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An intensified-CCD detector system has been developed for use in space (and elsewhere) which has application over a wide range in wavelength and which can be used at the focal plane of a variety of instruments (spectrographs, imagers, interferometers). This detector involves components which are readily available and mechanically, thermally, and optically coupled to produce the final compact system. The CCD is cooled using a Peltier effect thermoelectric cooler to reduce thermal noise. The image is formed on the photocathode of a proximity focused image intensifier and is transferred fiber optically from the intensifier to the CCD. Various photocathode and window materials are used to optimize the system for use within the wavelength range extending from the far UV to the near IR. In the case of the extreme UV, a windowless intensifier is used. In the case of those photocathode materials that require cooling to reduce thermally generated counts, an additional thermoelectric cooler is used at the intensifier faceplate. The design described here represents a considerable upgrade of the system developed in the late 1970s for the Spacelab 1 mission which used much less mature devices. The performance of the system is discussed and is close to the theoretical estimates.
© 1986 Optical Society of America
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