HST/WFC3 UVIS Detector: Dark, Charge Transfer Efficiency, and Point Spread Function Calibrations
Abstract
Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) is a fourth-generation imaging instrument on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) that was installed during Servicing Mission 4 in May 2009. As one of two channels available on WFC3, the UVIS detector is comprised of two e2v CCDs and is sensitive to ultraviolet and visible light. Here we provide updates to the characterization and monitoring of the UVIS performance and stability. We present the long-term growth of the dark current and the hot pixel population, as well as the evolution of Charge Transfer Efficiency (CTE). We also discuss updates to the UVIS dark calibration products, which are used to correct for dark current in science images. We examine the impacts of CTE losses and outline some techniques to mitigate CTE effects during and after observation by use of post-flash and pixel-based CTE corrections. Finally, we summarize an investigation of WFC3/UVIS Point Spread Functions (PSFs) and their potential use for characterizing the focus of the instrument.
- Publication:
-
IAU General Assembly
- Pub Date:
- August 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015IAUGA..2253611B