(r10) EMCCDSpectroscopy < Cahill

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): R. Demers (JPL), T. Goodsall (JPL), G. Hallinan, L. Harding (JPL), L. Hillenbrand, E. Kirby, N. Lingner, C. Martin, D. Mawet, S. Nikzad (JPL), R. Riddle, R. Smith, K. Wallace (JPL)
Confirmed: R. Dekany, E. Hamden, G. Kyne, P. Morrissey, C. Shapiro, G. Hallinan, E. Kirby, R. Smith, S. Nikzad, C. Martin, everyone: please update TWiki as appropriate
Cannot attend:

Organizing Committee: R. Dekany, E. Hamden, R. Jensen-Clem, G. Kyne, N. Konidaris, C. Shapiro (JPL)

Invited (to be expanded): R. Demers (JPL), T. Goodsall (JPL), G. Hallinan, L. Harding (JPL), L. Hillenbrand, E. Kirby, N. Lingner, C. Martin, D. Mawet, S. Nikzad (JPL), R. Riddle, R. Smith, K. Wallace (JPL)

Confirmed: R. Dekany, E. Hamden, G. Kyne, P. Morrissey, C. Shapiro, G. Hallinan, E. Kirby, R. Smith, S. Nikzad, C. Martin, everyone: please update TWiki as appropriate

Cannot attend:

Agenda (draft)

Pre-Session (1 hr early, or previous afternoon) : "EMCCD 101” tutorial session -- Roger Smith

Special breakfast (30 min)

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 - Rich Dekany
Real-world experience with EMCCDs in astronomy (3-4 talks) (1 - 1.5 hour)
- CHIMERA / WFIRST testing / Robo-AO / TMAS - Gregg Hallinan (confirmed) / Leon Harding (confirmed) / Reed Riddle (TBC) / Rich Dekany (confirmed)

Patio Lunch (provided)

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

Projects in development using EMCCDs (~3-4 talks) (1 hour)
- FIREBALL / GEONIS / NGDBSP / CHIMERA++ / VERVE - Patrick Morrissey? Nick Konidaris? Nick Konidaris? Gregg Hallinan? Kent Wallace?
Panel Discussion -- E. Hamden, Moderator (1 hour)
- Lab demonstrations needed and/or planned tests
- Technical issues: Dark Current / CIC / Low-T CTE / Lifecycle Issues
- EMCCD calibration unique concerns (30 min)?
New applications / concept / science frontiers (2-3 talks?) (45 min)
- EMCCDs as Telescope Guiders -- Jennifer Milburn
- EMCCDs for Wavefront Sensors -- Dimitri Mawet
- Dark Speckle Exoplanet Studies -- TBD

General Discussion (1 hour) -- 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