Low(est) noise Reticon detection systems

It is pointed out that linear, self-scanned, silicon diode arrays (Reticons) are excellent detectors for stellar spectroscopy. In addition to being compact, the diode arrays have excellent geometric stability, a large charge storage capacity, and a high responsive quantum efficiency in the optical region. Arrays with as many as 4096 diodes are available. Reticons are particularly suitable for studies which require devices with a high signal-to-noise ratio and high photometric fidelity. The low noise figures achieved with three systems of most recent origin are discussed. Reset (KTC) noise and correlated double sampling are discussed along with data processing, the readout noise of systems, and aspects of detective quantum efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio. The detective quantum efficiency describes best the performance of a detector as a function of signal level, readout noise, and MTF.