(r15) 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    _everyone: please update TWiki as appropriate_| 
|*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

* Adjourn

* Happy Hour / possibly an organized Dinner to Follow
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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.
      * Importance to this community to prove EM operation with deep-depletion (DD) CCDs?
   * First Light (France) is an alternative commercial EMCCD camera vendor.

*Follow-on Action Items*
   * _Add actions here_