Infrared detector performance in the Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility /SIRTF/
Abstract
The limitations imposed on infrared detectors for SIRTF are quite different from those imposed on ground-based, balloon-borne, or aircraft-borne systems. The paper examines the limitations and provides performance predictions corresponding to SIRTF conditions. Detector parameters typical of an infrared camera are used. The detector size is taken to be of the order of the diffraction-limited spot, frequency response is taken to correspond to a fraction of a second or less time constant, and spectral definition is provided by multilayer dielectric filters, inductive or capacitive grids, intrinsic absorption, or a combination of these. A nominal 10-micron bandwidth is assumed. The discussion covers atmospheric absorption and emission, zodiacal dust radiance, Shuttle contaminants, telescope self-emission, charged particle radiation, clear environment detector performance, and trapped radiation effects. It is concluded that the SIRTF design and operating conditions will allow current and near-term state-of-the-art detectors to reach their performance limits with SIRTF at a temperature of 10-12 K.
- Publication:
-
Utilization of infrared detectors
- Pub Date:
- 1978
- DOI:
- 10.1117/12.956060
- Bibcode:
- 1978SPIE..132...81M
- Keywords:
-
- Infrared Detectors;
- Performance Prediction;
- Space Infrared Telescope Facility;
- Space Shuttles;
- Spaceborne Telescopes;
- Atmospheric Effects;
- Frequency Response;
- Infrared Absorption;
- Infrared Photography;
- Photosensitivity;
- Radiance;
- Wave Diffraction;
- Zodiacal Dust;
- Astronomy