(r17) EMCCDSpectroscopy < Cahill

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---++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)*
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* Pre-Session (8a) :	"EMCCD 101&#8221; 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
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*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