CCDs: Bibliography and Reference List

This list provides and briefly describes a list of reference material on CCD and SWIR detectors. It is not complete, nor is it meant to be. These are just the books and articles likely to be most useful or which I recommend for the beginner when asked.

• Solid-State Imaging with Charge-Coupled Devices
  Albert J. P. Theuwissen
  Kluwer, 1995. ISBN 0-7923-3456-6. Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
  A technical textbook on all aspects of the design, production, manufacture, and uses of CCDs from the solid-state physics and technology point of view. The book is written for all users of CCDs but contains little which is directed specifically at their use in astronomy. The focus is on the device itself and not the housing, supporting electronics or methods of getting light onto the detector. This is an invaluable reference in the basic properties of CCDs for those interested in the fundamentals of their operation. Caveat: it's very expensive, Amazon.com lists it for US$214.50, but unavailable; Amazon.co.uk for GBP139.50 and dispatch in 2-3 days. Go figure.
  For: Solid state physicists and electronics freaks.
  Not for: beginner CCD astronomers.
  



• Electronic Imaging in Astronomy
  Ian S. McLean
  Wiley, 1997, ISBN 0-471-96972-9. Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
  Focuses on optical, SWIR and MWIR array detectors in common use in the 1990's at professional astronomical observatories. There is considerable, broad discussion of their specific application - dewars, instruments, data processing. A recommended purchase for all graduate students and observers who want to know how their instruments work.
  For: Astronomers interested in instrumentation, instrumentalists as a broad reference, amateurs who want to know how the pros do it.
  



• Detection of Light: from the Ultraviolet to the Submillimeter
  G. H. Rieke
  Cambridge University Press, 1994, ISBN 0-521-57674-1 Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
  A broad review of most detector types, with worked examples and problem sets. No astronomy-specific discussion. Good reference.
  For: imaging students, engineers, instrumentalists.
  



• Astronomical CCD Observing and Reduction Techniques
  Ed. Steve B. Howell
  ASP Conf. Series #23, 1992, ISBN 0-937707-42-4
  A guide for the observer. Every graduate student observer should have a copy. (It's quite cheap, if you can still get it.) Every significant CCD observing and data reduction technique is described, and there's a chapter on IR arrays as well. There is little technical discussion of CCDs, but the first chapter by Janesick and Elliott summarises the development of CCDs in astronomy.
  For: Advanced amateurs and professional observers.
  



• Photonics Rules of Thumb
  John Lester Miller & Ed Friedman
  McGraw-Hill, 1996, ISBN 0-07-044329-7 Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
  An interesting collection of quick rules of thumb potentially useful to anyone involved in electronic imaging. Each rule comes with its statement followed by a description of its basis, its useful circumstances and ranges, precautions and additional notes. Not a vital purchase for the CCD technologist, but useful if you have the inclination. Nothing much here for the observational astronomer.
  For: instrumentalists and engineers.
  



• Scientific Charge Coupled Devices
  James Janesick
  SPIE Press, Vol. PM83, Jan 2001, ISBN 0-8194-3698-4
  Certainly a "must-have" for anyone with an interest in CCDs. Jim is one of the original developers of CCDs for astronomy and gives the regular SPIE short technical courses on them. This is a highly detailed technical reference concerning almost every intrinsic property of CCDs ever examined. Don't look for astronomy-specific information. The publisher blurb is here and the table of contents and preface are here
  For: all CCD nerds.
  



• Scientific Charge Coupled Devices
  Steve Howell
  Cambridge University Press; ISBN: 0521648343. Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com
  I haven't seen this one either.
  For:
  

• "Charge-Coupled Devices in Astronomy"
  Mackay, C. D.
  1986, ARA&A, 24, 255 ADS Strasbourg, ADS Harvard (full article available).
  Abstract: The features, performance and deficiencies of two-dimensional CCDs in astronomical applications are explored. CCDs are ICs made from Si using CMOS technology. A photon striking the Si creates an electron-hole pair which migrates into the material, producing a voltage potential gradient. Red photons penetrate deepest. Layers (or columns) of conducting grids in the CCD guide the carriers to electrodes for counting. Various commercial implementations of the concept are described, along with techniques to expand the bandwidth sensitivity, eliminate noise and record signals from CCDs. Applications of CCDs in spectroscopy, in auto-guiders, and as X-ray detectors (on the AXAF satellite) are discussed.

• "Scientific charge-coupled devices"
  Janesick, James R.; Elliott, Tom; Collins, Stewart; Blouke, Morley M.; Freeman, Jack
  1987, OptEn, 26, 692 ADS Strasbourg, ADS, Harvard (abstract only).
  Abstract: The charge-coupled device dominates an ever-increasing variety of scientific imaging and spectroscopy applications. Recent experience indicates, however, that the full potential of CCD performance lies well beyond that realized in devices currently available.Test data suggest that major improvements are feasible in spectral response, charge collection, charge transfer, and readout noise. These properties, their measurement in existing CCDs, and their potential for future improvement are discussed in this paper.

• "Optical Detectors for Astronomy"
  Ed. James W. Beletic & Paola Amico
  Kluwer, 1998, ISBN 0-7923-4925-3, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk.
  Proceedings of the third ESO CCD workshop, Garching bei München, October 8-10, 1996.
  An excellent summary of the state-of-the-art in 1996.
  For: pros.

• "Optical Detectors for Astronomy II"
  Ed. James W. Beletic & Paola Amico
  Kluwer, 1998, ISBN 0-7923-4925-3, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk. Proceedings of the fourth ESO CCD workshop, Garching bei München, September 13-16, 1999.
  An excellent summary of the state-of-the-art in 1999.
  For: pros.