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)
Invited (to be expanded): T. Goodsall (JPL), D. Mawet
Confirmed: 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 everyone: please update TWiki as appropriate
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)
  • Commercial EMCCD camera comparison (10:30a) - Rich Dekany
  • Real-world experience with EMCCDs in astronomy (11p)
    • CHIMERA / WFIRST testing / Robo-AO / TMAS - Gregg Hallinan (confirmed) / Leon Harding (confirmed) / Rich Dekany (confirmed)

Patio Lunch (provided, 12 noon)

*Afternoon Sessions (1pm) -- E. Hamden, Session Chair

  • Projects in development using EMCCDs (1-2p)
    • FIREBALL / GEONIS / NGDBSP / 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
  • New applications / concept / science frontiers (3p)
    • EMCCDs as Telescope Guiders -- Jennifer Milburn
    • EMCCDs for Wavefront Sensors -- Dimitri Mawet
  • General Discussion (3:30p) -- 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

Adjourn

Happy Hour / possibly an organized Dinner to Follow

Links

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Related Papers or References

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Minutes

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Follow-on Action Items

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Topic revision: r14 - 2015-07-28 - RichardDekany
 
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