CCD readout for the IXO off-plane grating spectrometer

Andrew D. Holland, Neil Murray, James Tutt, Randall McEntaffer, Peter Pool, James Endicott

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The International X-ray Observatory (IXO) project is the result of a merger between the NASA Con-X and ESA/Jaxa XEUS mission concepts. The IXO mission outline has an X-ray grating spectrometer operating in the 0.3-1 keV band. CCDs are the ideal detector for the readout of the grating spectrometer instrument and have been flown in similar functions on XMM and Chandra. Here we review the Off-Plane X-ray Grating Spectrometer concept for IXO and discuss the optimization of CCD technology for detection in the 0.2-2 keV X-ray band. We will discuss improvements to the existing technology previously flown, and the use of new technology such as electron multiplying CCDs which can provide enhanced signal to noise at these soft X-ray energies, together with radiation hardening measures and methods of reducing sensitivity to optical stray light. We will also end by discussing alternative CMOS-based technology which may be developed in future years to replace the CCD technology, offering benefits of higher system integration and radiation hardness.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XVI
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
EventUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XVI - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: Aug 3 2009Aug 3 2009

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume7435
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Other

OtherUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XVI
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period8/3/098/3/09

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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