X-ray source

[Paul Jorden]

Greetings Barry & ccd-world,
> 
> You might be interested to learn of a variable x-ray source produced by
> Amersham International which can be used outside a dewar window. 
> [cut...] 
> We purchased this item in 1991, and its product code then was AMC2084, but
> can't recall the price.  I have a British phone number where you might
> reach them: (0494) 544000. 

All UK area dialling codes now have an extra '1' digit.
ie Amersham should be +44 (0)1494-544000

The extra energy of the source increases the safety hazard.
We decided to only invest in the standard Fe55 source for two main reasons:
1. Safety.
2. We are interested in checking the CTE at low charge levels; the more 
energetic source cannot do this so well.

Of course, the higher energy presumably gives an even better determination of 
the 'e/ADU' conversion 'gain'.

I'd be interested in hearing if anyone has found such higher energy sources to 
be useful.
(I know Andrew Holland & colleagues at Leicester use them- but they need to 
quantify CCDs as detectors for x-ray astronomy anyway).

Cheers, Paul
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