---++Astronomical Spectroscopy with Electron-Multiplied CCDs (EMCCDs) *Key Workshop Objective* * Understand the merits and limitations of EMCCDs in astronomical spectrographs and how to optimize their use |*Date and Time*| July 28, 2015 ||| |*Location:*| Hameetman Auditorium | Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Caltech|| *Workshop Goals* * 1) Understand the practical performance of current EMCCDs in astronomical applications. * 2) Identify scientific opportunities uniquely enabled by large format EMCCDs. * 3) Explore the design space of spectrograph (and mission) architectures suitable to exploit EMCCD advantages. * 4) Communicate shared interests and build a richer community of instrumentalists knowledgeable with EMCCD technology. *Participation* |*Organizing Committee*: R. Dekany, E. Hamden, R. Jensen-Clem, G. Kyne, N. Konidaris, C. Shapiro (JPL) | |*Attendees*: R. Dekany, E. Hamden, G. Kyne, P. Morrissey, C. Shapiro, G. Hallinan, E. Kirby, R. Smith, S. Nikzad, C. Martin, J. Cohen, C. Steidel, K. Wallace, G. Hallinan, L. Harding (JPL), L. Hillenbrand, E. Kirby, N. Lingner, T. Goodsall (JPL), D. Mawet, J. Feliciano, J. Milburn, J. Fucik, E. Bellm, D. Neill | |*Cannot attend*: R. Demers (JPL), R. Riddle | *Agenda (draft)* ---------------------------------- * Pre-Session (8a) : "EMCCD 101” tutorial session* -- Roger Smith * Special breakfast (9a) * Morning Sessions (start at 9:30a) - N. Konidaris, Session Chair * Scientific advantages and disadvantages of EMCCDs for spectroscopy (1 hour) - Nick Konidaris * (Sensitivity / architecture flexibility / operations / integrating modes / dynamic range / data processing & management / calibration / etc.) * Technology roadmap / future devices / commercial intentions (TBC) * [[%ATTACHURL%/150728_Commercial_EMCCDs.pdf][Commercial EMCCD camera comparison]] (10:30a) - Rich Dekany * Real-world experience with EMCCDs in astronomy (11p) * CHIMERA / WFIRST testing - Gregg Hallinan (confirmed) / Leon Harding (confirmed) * Patio Lunch (provided, 12 noon) * Afternoon Sessions (1pm) -- E. Hamden, Session Chair * Projects in development using EMCCDs (1-2p) * FIREBALL / GEONIS / NGDBSP / [[%ATTACHURL%/VERVE.pptx][VERVE]] - Erika Hamden & Gillian Kyne / Nick Konidaris / Kent Wallace * Panel Discussion -- E. Hamden, Moderator (2-3p) * Lab demonstrations needed and/or planned tests * Technical issues: Dark Current / CIC / Low-T CTE / Lifecycle Issues * EMCCD calibration unique concerns * Coffee Break (3p) * New applications / concept / science frontiers (3:20p) * EMCCDs for Exoplanet Imaging / Adaptive Optics (Robo-AO) -- Rich Dekany * EMCCDs as Telescope Guiders -- Jennifer Milburn * EMCCDs for Wavefront Sensors -- Dimitri Mawet * General Discussion (4p) -- Rich Dekany, Moderator * Possible topics include: * Influencing vendors, commercial development / Coordinating EMCCD eval. and testing (incl. environ.) / Sky vs. Space backgrounds / Coincidence loss problems / Outlandish new ideas * Publishing more results from our real astronomy with EMCCDs * Adjourn * Happy Hour at Rath al Fresco ---------------------------------- *Links* * _Add other external links here_ *Related Papers or References* * _Add paper links here_ *Minutes* * Messages to vendors * A lower noise output amplifier would help astronomers not have to run at as high a gain before entering the photon-counting regime. * Why are the current choices among commercial options so crumby? * Importance to this community to prove EM operation with deep-depletion (DD) CCDs? * First Light (France) is an alternative commercial EMCCD camera vendor; !OCAM2K camera being used in SPHERE for wavefront sensing. * Other vendors for EMCCDs themselves? * Panel Discussion Notes * Panel: S. Nikzad, L. Harding, R. Jensen-Clem, N. Konidaris, T. Goodsall, E. Hamden (Moderator) * Q1: What kinds of tests of EMCCDs are your groups performing? * EH/FIREBALL: concentrating on dark current measurements right now * SN: improving QE, particularly at short wavelengths + dark current, uniformity, and stability of performance; includes UV spectrometer studies * LH: testing for radiation damage, including impact on CIC, CTE, and dark current * C. Martin: this community would benefit from development of the optimal design independent of any one specific mission; how could we integrate efforts? * RJ-C: investigating photon arrival statistics for exoplanet search/study; issue: how are we sure that zero signal corresponds really to zero photons? * TG: starting to look into accurate measurement of quantum yield for UV applications (more than one e- per input photon). * Q2: What have peer reviewers said in response to recent flight proposals? * SN: reviewers want to see test data from actual assets you plan to fly (exact format, etc.); more evidence of successful out-of-band rejection; sounding rocket demonstrations sometimes criticized for not following _exact_ science objectives as flight mission. * R. Smith: would cubesat or ISS demonstrations help prove readiness; SN: yes, but care should be taken to demonstrate the right device, based on mission planning. * NK: as reviewer and reviewee, some researchers see to take EMCCD performance for granted; need to honestly represent understanding of advantages and limitations * RD: as we've heard today, for key applications the advantages are _real_ and we should disseminate this better in the broader astronomy community. *Follow-on Action Items* * _Dekany: Add First Light to commercial vendor slide_ - 8/18/15
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