Low noise imaging photon counter for astronomy

Abstract

The characteristics and performance of a Ranicon photon-counting system combined with digital tape recording are described. The most important features are a bialkali photocathode response over 256 x 256 digital pixels, with ~100 x 100 resolvable pixels at 50% MTF, a dead time of 16 microsec/count, a maximum recordable count rate of 14,400/sec, and a background of <1 count/digital pixel/h. A video cassette recorder serves for the digital recording which retains the temporal sequence of the registered photons. Astronomical applications will include low light level quantitative imaging and speckle imaging.