Optical detection of rapidly moving objects in space
Applied Optics, Vol. 44, Issue 3, pp. 423-433 (2005)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.44.000423
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Abstract
We compare the sensitivity of photon-counting and charged-coupled-device (CCD) imagers for rapidly moving objects. Our test case involves the detection of small objects in space, seen against a diffuse zodiacal light background, as observed from a space platform. We contrast photon-counting detectors, with excellent time resolution and negligible readout noise, against CCDs with a significantly larger quantum efficiency. For fast moving objects and small fields of view, the photon-counting detectors are able to detect significantly smaller targets, with the added benefit of providing angle-angle-time metric information in addition to high-time-resolution light curves. For larger fields of view and slower moving objects, the CCDs are more sensitive. These results may motivate the further development of microchannel-plate photon-counting systems and amplified CCDs for detecting and tracking space objects.
© 2005 Optical Society of America
OCIS Codes
(030.5260) Coherence and statistical optics : Photon counting
(040.1520) Detectors : CCD, charge-coupled device
(040.3780) Detectors : Low light level
(040.5250) Detectors : Photomultipliers
(350.1260) Other areas of optics : Astronomical optics
(350.6090) Other areas of optics : Space optics
Citation
William Priedhorsky and Jeffrey J. Bloch, "Optical detection of rapidly moving objects in space," Appl. Opt. 44, 423-433 (2005)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/ao/abstract.cfm?URI=ao-44-3-423
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